Are Nerine bowdenii easy to grow?
If you have a sunny, warm spot and well-drained soil in your garden, the hardy Nerine bowdenii will grow and flower well in these conditions as temperatures drop in mid September to late October. This species and its cultivars are the most commonly sold nerines. True to their South African origins, nerines require a dry, sunny location to thrive and are happy in poor soil. Many are tender greenhouse bulbs, but Nerine bowdenii is hardy in warmer areas of the UK. For best results grow outdoors in well-drained soil in full sun, ideally sheltered by a south-or west-facing wall.If you plant them too deeply they might not flower, so take care to ensure the bulbs sit just below the surface. Mulch for the first winter until established and expect to wait a year or so for the bulbs to flower prolifically. They also grow very well in pots. Nerines can also be grown from seed.Choosing a nerine If you have a sunny, warm spot and well-drained soil in your garden, the hardy Nerine bowdenii will grow and flower well in these conditions as temperatures drop in mid September to late October.For best results grow outdoors in well-drained soil in full sun, ideally sheltered by a south-or west-facing wall. They will not flower in shaded situations, and rich soils will encourage leaves rather than flowers. Nerines are also suitable for growing in containers.
How long do nerines take to flower?
Nerine bulbs need at least two years to develop enough to be able to produce flowers, so do not expect them to produce much colour at first. If the Nerine is more mature, it may be that it is not receiving enough direct sunlight. Water freely when the plants have foliage but do not water when the bulbs are dormant. Nerines do not need much fertilization, so apply dilute fertilizer only once or twice a season when the leaves are actively growing. Place the container in full sun during the growing season.Allow your Nerine plants to rest for a few months in dormancy before beginning the next growing cycle in the spring. Pull up the bulbs if you’re gardening in a zone where they are not winter hardy.