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Bulbs

Nerine bowdenii 'Ellex'

Bowden lily 'Ellex'

A strong-growing, bold, bulbous perennial about 50cm tall, with broad, strap-shaped green leaves. Upright stems hold clusters of lily-like pink flowers with paler wavy, crimped edges, appearing over a long period in autumn

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Nerine are summer-dormant, perennial bulbs with erect leafless stems each bearing a terminal umbel of funnel-shaped flowers in autumn, and strap-shaped or linear leaves appearing after the flowers
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in well-drained soil, preferably in a sunny, sheltered position for best flowering. Plant bulbs 10cm apart with the neck of the bulb showing above the soil, except for colder areas where they will prefer to be planted 5cm deep for frost protection. See nerine cultivation This plant was included in the RHS Nerine bowdenii trial 2012-2017 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/plant-trials-and-awards/nerine-bowdenii-final-11jun2018.pdf

Propagation

Propagate by division after flowering, or by chipping, see bulb propagation

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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