Guide to growing Nerine - Guernsey Lily
Nerine are usually grown as half hardy bulbs in the garden and reach heights of 30 to 60cm.
They bloom from summer to the autumn with flowers that look like small lilies atop stiff stems.
They do not have very pretty foliage so are good to grow in the middle of borders.
Common names for Nerine include Guernsey Lily.
How to grow Guernsey Lily
Guernsey lily can be grown from seeds or bulbs. The bulbs should be planted about 10 to 15cm deep and about 12 to 20 cm apart at the start of autumn. Guernsey lily seeds should be sown on the surface using fresh seed as soon as it is produced in the autumn. Guernsey Lilies can grow in sunny or lightly shaded areas that have good drainage, though the soil should be kept moist.
If starting indoors then sow Guernsey lily seeds using fresh seed as soon as available, it will take around two to three weeks to germinate at 18 to 21 degrees centigrade. Once growing well transplant the Guernsey lily seedlings into the garden the following spring after the last frost. It should take about five year until seed grown Guernsey lilies produce flowers.
Caring for Guernsey Lily and other Nerine plants
Not the easiest plants to look after, Guernsey lily and other Nerine members require watering regularly until they start to bloom, stop watering while blooming, but resume once flowering has finished. Watering should continue even after the leaves have died back. For best results grow the plants close together. If you require more Guernsey lily plants then propagate by dividing the bulbs in late autumn.