Nerine: planting & caring for Guernsey lilies
The nerine, also known as the Guernsey lily, brings an exotic flair to the garden with its colourful flowers.
The Guernsey lily (Nerine) is a somewhat unusual flower, as it blooms in autumn. But that is not the only thing that makes this flower so interesting: its unique shape also makes it a popular potted plant.
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Nerine origin and characteristics
Nerines (Nerine) are native to South Africa and form a plant genus with about 26 species. They belong to the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) and are also known as Guernsey or spider lilies. It is commonly named the Guernsey lily as it has been growing in the wild on Guernsey for 350 years. Strictly speaking, the name Guernsey lily refers to only one species, namely Nerine sarniensis, but today the name is used synonymously for other ornamental plants of this genus.
The late flowering time of nerine lilies, from September to November, makes them valued splashes of colour as winter approaches. Nerines have simple, green leaves that, depending on the species, remain on the plant all year round or retract. The flower stalk, which holds the magnificent inflorescences, emerges from the bulb in the ground separately from the leaves. The flowers are arranged in umbels and come in a variety of colours. The umbels carry up to twelve individual flowers on each shoot. Nerines can grow as tall as 80 cm, but often remain smaller at about 30 cm. They are bulbous geophytes that can only survive cold winters if they are protected.
The most beautiful species and varieties
Not all nerine species are suitable as ornamental plants. The most common species are Nerine bowdenii and Nerine sarniensis as well as hybrids of the two. Additional varieties in bright colours have also been created. Here is a selection of popular nerine species and varieties.
Nerine bowdenii: This species produces pink flowers and is suitable as a pot plant that spends the summer in the garden. It tolerates temperatures down to – 2 °C and in regions with mild winters can even overwinter directly in the garden bed with a layer of mulch in front of a warm wall.
- Nerine ‘Alba’: bears white flowers
- Nerine ‘Bernice’: bicoloured flowers in white and pink
- Nerine ‘Hera’: bright pink flowers
Nerine sarniensis: This species has red flowers and makes an excellent potted plant. It does not tolerate low winter temperatures and can, therefore, only be kept in gardens if winter protection is provided. That said, it is a safer bet to plant it in a pot that can be relocated for overwintering.
Tip: The amarine ‘Belladiva’ looks like a nerine. However, it is actually a cross between a nerine and an Amaryllis belladonna with somewhat broader petals. Amarines, like other nerine species, do not tolerate temperatures below 0 °C.
Planting nerine bulbs
Planting nerines in pots is highly recommended, as they are not especially winter-hardy and do not tolerate being dug up annually. When kept as a potted plant, a nerine can simply be moved to another spot in winter. A pot for a Guernsey lily does not have to be large, as the plant does not need much space for its roots. Only plant one bulb in the pot and it will form daughter bulbs and spread over time.
In summer, nerine plants prefer a cool spot at 15 – 17 °C – maximum 25 °C. So, choose a sheltered spot where the nerine is not at the mercy of the weather, for example, near a house wall. Guernsey lilies prefer to be in the shade – do not place them in full sun.
During the cold season, protect your nerine plants from temperatures below 2 °C.
Tip: If your garden is in a region with warm winters and is sheltered, you can try your luck with planting nerines directly in your garden bed. Make sure the planting spot is sheltered in winter and semi-shady in summer. If necessary, enrich the soil with humus and keep it always slightly moist but never wet. In winter, protect the nerine plants from frost and cold winds with mulch and jute sacks.
Nerines like soil that is rich in humus, loose and permeable. Our Plantura Organic Flower Compost is great for using in pots as well as for enriching garden soil. The high humus content and the stable, open structure provide suitable growing conditions for nerines. For even more permeability, mix a bit of sand into the soil. In pots and heavy soils, add a drainage layer so that excess water can drain away.
- Perfect for all flowering plants in garden beds & pots
- For beautiful blossoms & healthy plant growth
- Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
Plant Guernsey lilies between April and May so that the pot can be placed outdoors soon after the last frosts. Place a nerine bulb in the loosened soil with the narrow neck facing up. Do not plant it too deep – the neck of the bulb needs to stick out a few centimetres above the soil. When buying nerine bulbs, it is common to get a pot containing several daughter bulbs rather than just a single bulb. You can choose whether to plant them all together or gently remove some bulbs and plant them individually.
Guernsey lily care
Nerine care varies according to the season, i.e., its stage in the growth cycle:
Late summer to winter: as the leaves begin to grow, it is time to apply a slow-release fertiliser. First, remove some of the old substrate, and then add the fertiliser to the plant along with a new, thin layer of fresh substrate. Our Plantura Flower Food is specially designed to care for your flowering plants and keep them healthy. The growing and flowering season for nerines is from late summer to winter, so water them regularly to keep the soil evenly moist.
Winter to spring: after flowering, most nerines retract their leaves. They should not be watered or fertilised until the plants sprout again the following summer. For abundant flowering the next year, it is important to overwinter the nerine lily bulbs at about 2 °C. To overwinter the bulbs, stop watering after the nerines have flowered, and allow them to dry out. After about two weeks, the leaves will have died back completely. Now the pot can be stored for at least 14 weeks at about 2 °C, for example in a garden shed. This process supports flower formation later in the year.
Winter is also the time to repot nerines. You should do this every three to four years. While repotting, you can take off daughter bulbs and plant them in their own containers, growing your lot of beautiful Guernsey lilies.
If your nerine is growing directly in a garden bed, you will need to begin to protect it for winter in October.
Spring to late summer: if no more frosts are expected from mid-May onwards, potted nerines can be placed outside again. Hold off on watering or fertilising them though. Only at the end of June is a sip of water advisable – this is when the Guernsey lily bulbs begin to grow roots.
Nerines not flowering: for flowering to occur, the nerine needs to overwinter in a cold place. This cooling period is essential, as it starts the formation of flower buds. However, it must also never be too hot in summer. At temperatures above 25 °C, the flowers will not emerge, or, if they do, they will be stunted in growth. Temperatures in late summer are also thought to influence nerine flowering. Large temperature fluctuations from day to night let nerines know that it is time to bloom.
Nerines in winter
In short, the Guernsey lily is not hardy. Some species and varieties tolerate cooler temperatures with winter protection, but there is always the risk of freezing. In warm regions with mild winters, a layer of mulch is sufficient as winter protection, but in colder places, with temperatures that dip below -5 °C, such measures are usually not sufficient. It is, therefore, advisable to plant the nerine in a pot and overwinter it a cool place at a maximum of 10 °C.
Tip: The nerine is a remarkably long-lasting cut flower, lasting up to 14 days. This makes it an excellent addition to Christmas decor. Simply harvest the nerine as soon as two to three flowers per inflorescence have opened. Store the cut nerine flowers in the fridge at around 4°C.
Amaryllis flowers looks very similar to nerine flowers, and they too are wonderful as a cut flowers. You can find out how to properly care for amaryllis here.
