Nerine bowdenii

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Plant
ID 367 Nerine bowdenii
Botanic Name Nerine bowdenii
Common Name Nerine, Pink Spider Lily, Guernsey Lily
Family Name Amaryllidaceae
Cultivars 'Alba', 'Pink Triumph'
Origin South Africa, Zone 8-11
Growth Type Bulbs & Corms
Bark Type Stemless / Acaulescent
Foliage Type Deciduous Water Use Medium
No. of Species 30
Growth Habit Clumping Growth Rate Medium
Height 0.3 - 0.5 m (1 - 2 ft) Spread 0.2 m (1 ft)
Plant Overview
This clump forming bulberous perennial has lax dark green strap-like deciduous leaves. It has upright stems that are topped with clusters of pink or red frilled funnel-shaped flowers that appear with the foliage during autumn before dormancy.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Linear
The dark green fleshy linear leaves are up to 300 mm (1 ft) long by 25mm (1in) wide (strap-like) and appear during summer before the flowering period. They may be absent during the flowering period as they are deciduous during winter.
Arrangement Basal
Margin Entire
Colour Dark green
Size 250 - 300 mm ( 9.8 - 11.8 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Funnelform
The crimson to white funnelform flowers have ribbed petals that are reflexed with undulating margins and the protruding stamens are up to 40 mm (1 5/8 in) long. There are up to 12 flowers arranged in a terminal umbel.
Inflorescence Umbel
Colour Red - pink
Size 60 - 80 mm ( 2.4 - 3.1 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Capsule Additional Information
Colour Green - brown
The 12 mm (½ in) wide rounded green capsule is arranged in groups of 3 and contains numerous small seeds. The small seeds are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively to maintain true to type.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 10 - 12 mm ( 0.4 - 0.5 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained sandy to loamy soil, moist, poor-fertile, acid-alkaline, pH 6.5-8.5
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes
Climate Temperate
Aspect Semi shade to full sun, open position, drought and frost-cold tolerant
Pest & Diseases Slugs and snails attack new growth
Fertiliser Weak liquid manure regulary in the growing period, added compost to soil
Pruning Cut flowers as required (don't pull), lift clumps and keep dry, but prefer to be left undisturbed
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Pink Spider Lily is grown for its pinkish flowers and its clumping growth habit. It is planted in small or cottage gardens along herbaceous borders or in group plantings in beds for parks and large gardens. It is also used in drifts under trees.
Divide offsets from bulbs from established plants. Replant the bulbs from mid to late summer 20-40 mm (1? in) deep with the neck well above the soil level and space 80-150mm (6 in) apart. Leave the bulbs undisturbed for 4-5 years or more.
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