Greetings from within my papery tunic! I am a Nerine bowdenii bulb, currently in a state of dormancy. While you may be eager to get me into the ground during the spring sunshine, it is crucial to understand my natural cycle. In my native South African habitat, I experience a period of dry summer dormancy. Planting me in spring aligns well with this, as it gives me time to settle in and develop a robust root system before the heat of summer. This period of root growth is my silent, unseen work. I am not focusing on producing leaves or flowers yet; I am establishing a foundation, gathering water and nutrients to fuel the spectacular display I will put on later.
For me to thrive and reward you with vibrant pink blooms in the fall, I need a specific type of home. My most critical demand is excellent drainage. I despise having my basal plate (my bottom) sitting in wet, cold soil, as this will cause me to rot. Please plant me in a location that receives full sun for most of the day. The more sun I get, the stronger my flower stalks will be and the more energy I can store for the next year. Prepare my bed by amending heavy clay soil with plenty of grit, sharp sand, or fine gravel. A raised bed or a slope is an ideal location for me, as it ensures any excess water drains away quickly.
When you are ready to plant me, please handle me with care. Dig a hole that is deep enough so that the very top of my neck, where the growing point is, is just barely exposed at the soil surface. A good rule is to plant me so that my "nose" is peeking out. This shallow planting is essential. It allows the sun to warm my crown, which encourages flowering. If you bury me too deep, I may only produce leaves and never bloom. Space me about 8 inches apart from other bulbs to give my offsets, my future bulb-children, room to grow and develop over the years without becoming overcrowded.
After planting, you may not see much activity from me above ground for a while. I am busy underground, sending out roots. As summer progresses, you might see a few strap-like leaves emerge. Do not be alarmed if they are sparse or if I produce no leaves at all until after flowering; this is normal for many of us Nerines. When the cooler nights of early fall arrive, that is my signal. I will send up a tall, naked flower stalk, or scape, topped with a cluster of budlets. This stalk will rapidly grow and unfurl into a stunning umbel of intricately curved, shimmering pink flowers. My foliage will continue to grow through the fall and winter, gathering solar energy.
After my flowers fade, you can deadhead the stalk, but please leave my foliage untouched. My leaves are my lifeblood during the winter and spring. They are photosynthesizing and sending energy down to my bulb to store for next year's bloom. In the spring, my leaves will naturally begin to yellow and die back. This is my signal that I am entering my summer rest period. At this point, you can reduce watering. I am resilient and drought-tolerant during this phase. The cycle then begins anew, with my roots becoming active again after planting or with summer rains, preparing for another breathtaking autumn performance.
