Description
Nerine – Spider Lily – Guernsey Lily –
There are about 30 species of bulbous perennial, some evergreen, others die down in summer in this genus. They occur on mountain screes, on rock ledges, and in other well drained or arid habitats in Southern Africa. They can reach 24″ tall and 12″ wide. They are grown for their spherical umbels of lily like, trumpet shaped flowers, in pink, red, or white which bloom in fall, with reflexed, often wavy edged tepals, in herbaceous species, these appear before or with the strap shaped leaves. Many cultivars with large colorful flowers have been developed, flowers are borne in umbels, 4-8″ across of up to 25 flowers, followed by semi erect, basal leaves. Where not hardy, grow in a border or rock garden, or at the base of a sunny wall. Good as cut flowers. If ingested, all parts may cause mild stomach upset.
Outdoors, plant in well drained sandy soil in full sun in early spring. Provide a deep, dry winter mulch where marginally hardy. Divide clumps after flowering. Allow to dry out over the summer dormancy period.
Prone to slugs.
N. masoniorum – This slender, bulbous perennial from South Africa grows 12″ tall. It produces narrow, grass like almost evergreen leaves, to 8″ long. In autumn, downy stems bear compact umbels of 4-15 bright pink flowers, to 3/4″ across with deep rose-red vein down the center of each wavy edged petal.
Zones 8-10
