If you are looking for fall flowers that are not chrysanthemums or pansies, look no further than Nerine, an autumn beauty. Clusters of tubular blooms top long, sturdy stems. Strap-like foliage resembles its cousins, Amaryllis and Crinum. Like those two, Nerine are not bothered by voles, deer, or rabbits. Nerine flowers usually have a little bit of ruffle along the petal edges. The flowers are fragrant.
Nerine bulbs (common name “Guernsey Lily” or “Autumn Amaryllis”) are native to South Africa and are marketed as cold hardy in zones 8-10, but have survived under a pine needle mulch in my zone 7b garden for a decade. Flowers are available in pink, white, and rose. They make a long-lasting cut flower. They will grow in full sun or partial shade. Nerine make excellent container plants as well. They bloom best when slightly root-bound, so don’t be in a hurry to move them to a larger container or to divide those grown directly in the ground until they become congested and stop flowering freely.
Bulbs are planted in spring, when dormant. Nerine are different from many other bulbs in that they want the topmost portion of the bulb to be above ground. This is called “planting to the shoulders.” If planted too deep, you will have nice foliage but few blooms. I am especially fond of any bulb that does NOT need me to dig a hole halfway to the core of the earth. Some bulbs insist on deep planting. This is a challenge if your garden consists of rocks and red clay.
Nerine plants like heat, and don’t emerge until night temperatures have warmed. They do not like to be moved; newly planted bulbs may sulk for a season. It is worth the wait. They are drought tolerant, but will bloom much better if given some additional water whenever leaves are visible. Do not water while they are dormant (winter to early spring).
I find that the bold foliage of Nerine, Crinum and Amaryllis poses a challenge in beds. These do not seem to pair well with other bulbs or perennials. One option is to give them each their own section of the garden. I have taken a different tactic this year, and combined all three in a single planting. The foliage is so similar that I cannot tell which is which. If all goes according to plan, the Amaryllis will put on a spring show, Crinum will take its place in summer, and Nerine will finish out the year.
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