We’ve recently added a beautiful collection of professional cut flower nerines and amarines to our misc. spring bulb web catalogue. We recognize these plants are unknown to many US growers.
Here are some frequently asked questions about nerines and amarines to help you get to know them.
nerine flowers
Q: What is the difference between nerines and amarines?
A: Amarines are hybrids of nerines and amaryllis. Their flowers are larger than nerines, but not as big as amaryllis. Amarine flowers have been compared to agapanthus flowers in size.
Q: Can I grow these plants in my climate?
A: Most of the plants in today’s launch are perennial in zones 7 to 10 (check the product descriptions). But that doesn’t mean they can’t be grown in colder areas. Growers in colder areas can lift rhizomes/bulbs and store them for the winter. We can plant them in unheated tunnels or with cover that prevents the ground from freezing. And/or grow them in containers like pots or bulb crates that can be moved to a protected area in the winter. Nerines are blooming now on our trial farm (USDA zone 5A) in the ground in unheated tunnels and also in crates on benches in a heated tunnel.
Q: Can these be container grown like tulips, lilies, etc?
A: Yes! All of the plants on this list can be container grown.
Q: When do I plant them?
A: Tuberose, nerines, amarines, and lycoris bulbs/rhizomes will ship in the spring alongside other products in our Misc. Spring Bulbs catalogue like callas, glads, dahlias, curcuma, and more. They can also be combined for shipping with lilies, flowering shrubs, bare root perennials, and roses. The appropriate time to plant them is in the spring.
Q: When do they bloom?
A: Late summer and fall.
Tuberose: Late Summer to Early Autumn (August - October).
Nerines bloom in Autumn (September – November).
Amarines bloom Early to Late Autumn (September – November). Lycoris bloom Late Summer to Early Autumn (August – September).
Q: Can you divide these plants?
A: Yes - Here is a quick breakdown of how they multiply.
Tuberose develop dense clusters of tuberous roots. Divide them every 2-5 years after the foliage dies back in the fall or before re-planting in the spring.
Amarines: Split after flowering every 4-5 years. Amarine perfer to be densely planted, which is great for cut flower production.
Nerines: Divide nerines when they becoming densly packed and production seems to start to decrease. It’s best to divide nerine right after flowering in the fall or in the early spring. Divide them into fist-sized clumps, rather than single bulbs (because they like to grow compactly).
Lycoris: Wait until your plants are a few years old and divide and re-plant or store after flowering in the late fall.
For nerine and amarine growing inspiration, check out @alliamflowers on instagram.