Breeding nerines takes patience. Thousands of seeds<\/a> are sown and the plants are grown for three to four years before a flower is formed. Producing enough bulbs to sell to gardeners is equally laborious. As a grower, Kitty is fascinated by the botany of the plant.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you cut a bulb of Nerine bowedenii\u00a0<\/em>in half you can see two or even three embryonic flower buds,\u201d she says. These develop sequentially, starting with the largest bud, over the forthcoming years. \u201cI think this is the only bulbous plant that has this. It means there are several years\u2019 flowers inside a single bulb. This adds to the magic.\u201d<\/p>\n More on bulbs<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Here Kitty shares her advice for cultivating nerines and amarines so you can ensure their longevity.<\/p>\n Nerine bowdenii<\/em>\u00a0and amarines are hardy in sunny situations in well-drained soil.<\/strong>\u00a0To flower well the bulbs need to be baked during the summer, so avoid planting them where they will be overshadowed by other plants. Plant the bulbs<\/a> just below the surface of the soil in large clumps. In cold areas mulch them after they have finished flowering to give extra protection\u00a0during wet and cold winters.<\/p>\n During the first year after planting, nerines can be shy to flower.<\/strong>\u00a0Be patient: as soon as they have settled in they should produce lots of flowers. The bulbs hate being disturbed, so\u00a0once you have planted them avoid moving the bulbs until they\u00a0are so congested that they stop flowering.<\/p>\n Nerines and amarines love pots and, if you live in a cold and wet region, this is the best way to grow them.<\/strong>\u00a0Use a loam-based compost with about 20 per cent horticultural grit and plant the bulbs with their noses peeking above the surface of the soil. Water lots when the plant starts into growth but keep dry when finished flowering and store away from frosts. Bulbs flower best crowded tightly together, so don\u2019t be too eager to split the bulbs \u2013 once every four or five years is sufficient.<\/p>\n![\""Tulipa\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2020\/04\/JI_030419_AvonBulbs_205-4280a93.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Tulipa\\"")
<\/div>How to plant nerines<\/h2>\n
Kitty\u2019s favourite nerines and amarines<\/h2>\n
x\u00a0Amarine tubergenii\u00a0<\/em>\u2018Aphrodite\u2019 (Belladiva Series)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n