Nerines

[Garden Manager]

I am about to start work in a garden where there is a large bed full of what I beleive to be nerines. The plants are quite overgrown, and could do with thinning a bit. The garden's owner has just aquired the property and does not/will not live there. they would like to have some of the plants for their home garden and have asked me to lift some. I am also certain there would be no objection to my having  few for my garden too1

I would like to know a bit more about them, best time to lift, planting preferences, and more importantly hardiness. the place they are growing is close to the South Dorset coast. The gardens they will be going to are a few more miles inland (about 10 miles).

I would also like to confirm ID. The plants are surface growing bulbs with strap like leaves just starting to grow now. I am told they have pink flowers in late summer/autumn. I have seen nerines growing elsewhere and i am sure these are the same, but am not certain. Maybe someone can advise me?

Thanks

[Garden Manager]

[Robert_Brenchley]

Nernes are only just hardy, and need a warm spot; I've had no success with them at all. Your description would also fit Crinums, which have enormous bottle-shaped bulbs and will grow almost anywhere.

[Garden Manager]

Thanks robert.

Been searching the net, can only find photos of the flowers with the name and not any of the bulb or a growing plant to confirm the ID. Not having seen these particular plants in flower i can only guess at the name a bit based on what i already know. When i saw them something in my head shrieked 'nerines' at me, nothing scientific, just a feeling.

Unfortunately i cant get a photo to show you. Sorry.

If its Crinums not nerines can they be planted and grown in the same way - in case there is a doubt about identity?

[Shirley]

Last year, I  grew some  nerines in a pot  which is on the door step, south facing and doesn't get too wet.  Only about half the bulbs flowered.  I have over wintered them in the greenhouse and they are beginning the shoot now.  Home is Central Scotland.

I found the following had some information

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plantprofile_nerine.shtml

[Garden Manager]

I found the following had some information

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plantprofile_nerine.shtml

Yes I found that too. thanks anyway. Nice information about growing but didnt really help identifying them!

[Robert_Brenchley]

If they're Crinums, they're best left alone as they dislike disturbance. If you really have to lift them, go carefully, and trench underneath them, otherwise you'll probably just rip the bulbs apart. They really are massive. Do it ASAP.

[ACE]

I would think that nerines would not be showing any foliage yet, any frost however mild would have knocked them back. But if they are, move them in clumps as you would snowdrops in big earthy clumps. Crinium can be moved easily, they might sulk for a while but there is plenty of nourishment in the bulbs.  The foliage on criniums will also not be showing.

Are you sure they are bulbs, because agapanthus looks like it should be a bulb with its strap like leaves and although they are mostly blue, they do come in pink. They will colonise and spread if left to thereselves. These can also be moved now and can be split like most perrenials.

There is another that comes to mind and that is colchicum (autumn crocus) but nobody would be lucky enough to find a big patch of them. As with most bulbs and plants they can mostly be moved this time of year unless they are already in flower like daffs.

[Garden Manager]

Like i said there is a bed full of them - one end very congested with the bulbs (yes i am sure they are bulbs).

I dont think there is much of s frost problem in the garden in question. It is about 1/4 mile from the sea facing southwest. Close by there is a Pelargonium trained up a wall, growing away happily, that looks like it has been there for ages! Mind you it has ben an exceptional winter for lack of frost...........

I had thought of autumn crocus, but the leaves dont look quite right. The look a bit agapanthus like, and since nerines are in the same family, thats a big hint I think.......

Thanks for replies

[jennym]

There is a huge bed of Nerine bowdenii in a narrow border at Capel Manor in Middlesex. They grow very well there, although there is some warmth and shelter given by a brick wall at one side.

[tilts]

I live on the south coast (Hampshire) and have been growing Nerines' for some time, they are in leaf now (strap like and about 6 inches long) and the bulbs like to be nearer the surface than buried. 
I would have no hesitation dividing now, they are happy in pots and areas that are not too water logged. 
I am unable to post a picture here but if you want to pm me i will post a picture, won't be able to do this till Sunday.
Just remember when dividing to put into large clumps, they look spectacular!