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Nerine spp.

nerine

Amaryllidaceae Southern Africa

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Nerine spp. is a genus of about 25 bulbous perennials in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), native to southern Africa and grown for their autumn flowers. Each bulb sends up a bare stem 12-24 in (30-60 cm) tall topped by an umbel of 5-12 funnel-shaped flowers with narrow, often wavy and recurved petals, in shades of pink, rose, red, coral, and white. Some species, such as the hardy N. bowdenii, flower as or just before the strap-shaped leaves appear, while others are evergreen. The petals carry a glittering, almost iridescent sheen. Most species are tender and adapted to a dry summer dormancy and autumn growth, so they bloom when many other plants have finished. Bulbs are slow to settle after moving and may take a year or two to flower again. Hardiness ranges widely, from the frost-sensitive majority to N. bowdenii, which survives outdoors in mild-temperate gardens.

Native Range

Nerine spp. is native to southern Africa, chiefly South Africa, ranging from summer-rainfall grasslands and rocky slopes to winter-rainfall areas of the Cape. Habitats include seasonally moist ground that dries hard in the dormant season.

Suggested Uses

Nerine spp. is grown at the base of warm walls, in raised beds, gravel gardens, and containers, and as an autumn cut flower. Bulbs are spaced 4-6 in (10-15 cm) apart in groups for a fuller show. Tender species suit pots moved under cover for winter.

How to Identify

Identify Nerine spp. by its leafless autumn flower stems carrying an umbel of pink to red flowers with narrow, wavy, backward-curling petals and long protruding stamens. Strap-shaped basal leaves appear with or after the flowers. The fall bloom time and the sparkling texture of the petals separate it from the spring-flowering Amaryllis spp. and Lycoris spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread4" - 6"

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Fall

Flowering occurs in autumn, generally September to November, on bare stems before or as the leaves emerge. Each umbel of 5-12 flowers lasts 2-3 weeks, and clumps left undisturbed flower more freely with age. N. bowdenii is among the latest, often blooming into November.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink, rose, red, coral, and white

Foliage Description

Strap-shaped green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Nerine spp. grows in full sun in gritty, sharply drained soil with a near-neutral pH of 6.0-7.5, with bulbs set shallow and the neck at or just above the surface. Plants need a dry rest in summer dormancy and resume growth and flowering in autumn, so overwatering during dormancy causes rot. Hardiness varies from USDA zones 8-10 for tender species to zones 7-10 for N. bowdenii, which takes frost with a winter mulch. Crowded clumps flower more freely and are left undivided for several years. Container culture suits tender kinds, kept dry and frost-free in winter. Slugs and bulb rot are the main problems in wet conditions.

Pruning

Nerine spp. needs no pruning. Spent flower stems are cut to the base after blooming, and faded leaves are removed once they yellow and die back naturally. Bulbs are lifted and divided only when clumps grow congested, ideally just after flowering.