I am a Nerine bowdenii bulb, a vessel of stored energy and life, currently dormant. My outer papery tunic protects me from desiccation and minor physical damage. Within me, I hold the complete blueprint for the beautiful pink flowers and strap-like leaves I will produce. I require a period of warm, dry rest after summer flowering to initiate next year's bloom cycle. Do not store me in damp conditions during this time, as I am susceptible to rot.
I thrive in a specific environment. I demand a location with full sun; at least six hours of direct sunlight is non-negotiable for strong stem development and prolific flowering. The single most critical factor for my success is exceptionally well-draining soil. I am a calcifuge, meaning I abhor sitting in water, particularly during winter. Heavy, clay-rich soils will lead to my rot and demise. Please plant me in a raised bed, on a sunny slope, or at the top of a retaining wall where water drains away instantly. Amend the native soil with generous amounts of grit, horticultural sand, or fine gravel to create a loose, free-draining medium.
My planting depth is unique and crucial. Unlike many bulbs that are buried deeply, I need to be planted with the very top of my neck and nose just protruding above the soil surface. If you bury me too deeply, I will divert all my energy into producing leaves at the expense of flowers, or I may simply fail to emerge. Ensure my base, where the roots will emerge, is in contact with the soil. My pointed end faces upwards. Space me approximately 8 inches apart to allow for clump formation over the years.
My growth cycle is opposite to many spring-planted bulbs. After planting in late summer or early autumn, I will first send up my naked flower stalk, followed by my cluster of trumpet-shaped, pink blooms. My foliage emerges either alongside or just after the flowers. I appreciate moisture during this active growth and flowering period in the fall. After flowering, my foliage will remain green throughout the winter, photosynthesizing and gathering energy. Water me during winter only if conditions are exceptionally dry. As spring arrives, my leaves will yellow and die back. This is my signal that I am entering my summer dormancy. Withhold all water during this period.
I am a perennial bulb that prefers to be left undisturbed. I will gradually multiply, forming a large, impressive clump that flowers more abundantly each year. Dividing me is rarely necessary, but if the clump becomes too crowded and flowering diminishes, you can carefully lift and divide me immediately after the flowers fade in late autumn. Replant the offsets at the correct depth, and they will establish themselves quickly. I am hardy in USDA zones 7-10. In zone 7, a thick winter mulch applied after the ground freezes will protect my base from severe cold.
