Nerine collection

Buy the collection of 3 nerines (1 of each variety) for £9.99, or buy 2 collections for £19.98 and receive a further collection free

• Position: full sun
• Soil: fertile, well-drained
• Rate of growth: average to fast
• Flowering period: September to November
• Hardiness: borderline hardy (may need winter protection)
  
  Intriguing and exotic-looking flowers appear in a rounded umbel in autumn, adding much needed late colour to sheltered borders or pots. Native to arid habitats in southern Africa, these bulbous perennials are hardy but will need a sunny position, ideally with the protection of a south-facing wall. Excellent for cutting and adding to a vase, they can also be grown in pots and brought inside for a short period while in flower. Flowering best when slightly crowded, plant the bulbs at 10-15cm intervals, with their tip just above the surface of the soil. Protect the crown from hard frosts with a generous layer of dry mulch after flowering, or overwinter potted plants in an unheated greenhouse in colder regions.
  
  Each collection contains 3 Nerines, 1 each of the following
  
  
• Nerine bowdenii
  
  Up to nine, slender pointed buds open in succession to bright pink flowers, which have a deep pink stripe down the centre of each tepal. An elegant, late-flowering addition to the herbaceous border or patio. Grows to 50cm.
  
  
• Nerine bowdenii 'Ostara'
  
  Emerging from the bulb in autumn, the upright stem is crowned with soft pink flowers, each with slender segments that become more recurved as they age. Very pretty when planted with soft violets and blues. Grows to 50cm.
  
  
• Nerine bowdenii 'Ella K'
  
  Lily-like white flowers with long, softly ruffled tepals and protruding stamens that curl upwards at their tips, appear before the rich-green, strap-shaped foliage emerges in autumn. A recently introduced cultivar. Grows to 50cm.
  
  
• Garden care:Plant shallowly outside with their neck just above the surface of the soil at 10 - 15cm intervals from April onwards. They are happiest in a dense clump, so once planted avoid disturbing the roots and only lift and divide them when they have outgrown their alloted space.