Summer Growing Nerines
The majority of Nerines that I grow are hybrids of N. sarniensis and are winter-growing, producing their beautiful flowers in late summer and autumn, their leaves following soon after. N. sarniensis
is from the Cape Province of South Africa, where the climate is
Mediterranean with cool rainy winters that are mild, and dry summers.
Other Nerines are summer-growing, since that region has good sized
mountain ranges, and species such as N. bowdenii, coming from high altitude, will grow in summer and be dormant during the cold winters. Above to the left is N. bowdenii v. wellsii, with petals that are even more frilled than the species.
As you move across the Cape Province from west to east, you leave the
Mediterranean climate region, and come to a central region that has
rain in summer and winter. In the most eastern part of the region,
there are rainy summers, and dry winters (I hope this is not
confusing!). I found it very confusing when I first started growing
Nerines, not knowing whether they needed water year-round, in winter or
in summer, so you really do need to know where each species originates.
This, to me, is part of the fun of growing bulbs from other parts of
the world. You start to understand somewhat the geography and climate
of each region, and even if you never go there, you can travel there in
your imagination and feel connected to more than just a beautiful
flower.
Nerine huttoniae comes
from the western part of the eastern Cape, so it receives summer rain
and is dormant in winter. It blooms now (August 30) and has large
umbels of deep reddish flowers. I have found it easy to grow and
flower. Here it is to the left. To me it looks like a scaled down Brunsvigia josephinae with its widely spaced flowers.
Very similar in appearance is
Nerine laticoma.
It comes from drier regions, and has very large umbels of pink to red
flowers. It needs a dry winter dormancy to grow and flower well, and
although it is said to be difficult to flower, it seems happy in my
conditions. Here it is to the right. It is also in bloom now.
Also summer-growing is Nerine krigei,
seen here to the left, reputed to be the easiest of these three species
(although I haven't really had any difficulty with any of them). It
can tolerate winter moisture if it is in a very well drained situation.
The leaves are twisted, and the flowers deep pink to red.
Winter Growing Species
The winter-growing species include N. sarniensis. I wish I had the pure species, but it is difficult to obtain, and I only grow N. sarniensis v. corusca major. N. sarniensis
comes from the slopes of Table Mountain where it can be bathed in fog
in summer, similar to the conditions found in coastal California. It is
noted for the gold sparkle of its petals, looking as though someone had
sprinkled gold dust all over it. I should mention that all Nerines
have this sparkle, and in the light colored species or in white ones it
is silvery. Here it is to the right. You can see a little of the gold
on its petals.
Nerine humilis is a small species, and is very charming. A pot full in bloom is very beautiful.
There are many other species of Nerine, and one day I hope to add
some to my collection. They are very rewarding plants, easy to grow,
free of disease, and reliably blooming. They are excellent additions to
the garden in suitable climates, and you can find a species that will
grow for you whether you are in California, England or Texas. They are
fantastic plants for container culture, multiplying well, and making a
wonderful display in late summer. If you can bring yourself to pick the
flowers, they are a dramatic addition to a bouquet, being a bouquet all
in themselves.
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