We have been admiring the amazing Nerine angustifolias in our dryland parking lot berms over the last few weeks, and they are almost at peak bloom. These South African (Mpumalanga province) amaryllids are distant allies to the Southeast Asian genus Lycoris, although they keep their foliage, unlike lycoris.
Typically nerines don’t offer much winter hardiness here in Zone 7b, but this species has thrived in our trials since 2019. It’s our hope to finally have enough to share through Plants Delights in spring.
Do the Nerines need to grow in perfectly well-draining soil like your 50% permatill raised beds? Do you think that’s key to their winter survival here?
These are growing in our 50/50 topsoil/compost mix. We happen to have them in a raised bed, but it’s not necessary. The key seems to be to just select an adaptable species.