How to Plant Nerine Fall Bulbs

Nerine bulbs produce a single stem 14 to 20 inches high with clusters of long, delicate looking tubular flowers. The Nerine is also known as Cape Flower, Guernsey Lily and Japanese Spider Lily. The bulb tolerates drought-like conditions but requires moist soil through its growing season. Plant at least 10 of these bulbs to give your garden the full effect of their spidery, lace-like appearance.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose a place in your garden that gets full sun throughout the day.

2. Dig holes six to eight inches deep and 12 inches apart, or dig one hole per square foot.

3. Plant one Nerine bulb per hole.

4. Water the newly planted Nerine bulb and keep the soil moist at least until it flowers.

5. Apply a small amount of bulb fertilizer once per month while the leaves are growing. Once the leaves are fully grown you can stop the fertilizer. The Nerine's leaves are the collection point for the current and next season's growing energy, so it is essential they are well formed for proper blooming in the current and next growing seasons.

Tips & Warnings

• Propagate Nerine by its bulbs, which multiply below ground during the growing season, or by the seeds produced by the bulb's flowers. Bulbs cultivated from seed take three to four years to flower.
• The Nerine makes a beautiful cut flower as a tall, thin addition to larger flower arrangements or on its own as a striking single stalk.