Oh Nerine, you move my soul.

THE PALE PINK NERINE SARNIENSIS ‘ HANLEY CASTLE’ ON THE RIGHT.

Nerine sarniensis are in peak bloom this weekend in my greenhouse, so I thought that I would share some of the different varieties that I picked today. I had wanted to document each variety I have in a photograph, as well as number some of my crosses so that at least, I will have some sort of record incase I ever decide to do something with mu collection which is becoming pretty large. This year, the quantity of bloom has been incredible, almost 100%, since many that did no show buds a week ago, are starting to send up buds. I also had many pots with double and triple stems, which has never happened.
After photographing each variety, I had some fun and arranged them by color. Only then did I realize how challenging it can be when photographing Nerine sarniensis, since they colors are complex, and the faceting within the cellular structure in the petals sometimes plays tricks with the lenses.
( from left) Rushmere Star,  the deep clear red of ‘Leila Hughes’ on the far right. 
There are so many pinks and salmons varieties in Nerine sarniensis, that many of my crosses are simply named “pink #12, pink # 2, and Salmon # 5.
Lined up in front of the greenhouse, these Nerine sarniensis selections really impress once cut and arranged.
The dark striped bicolor at the top left, is a variety called ‘Amschel’

Notoriously difficult to photograph well, I found that many of the colors became more authentic once moved to the shade. Unfortunately, the fasceted sparkles that occur when Nerine sarniensis are in the sun, are now invisible.
Nerine Sarniensis ‘Exbury Renoir’ ( above, and below)
The gold sparkles, which many Nerine sarniensis have, are particularly nice on this variety called ‘Renoir’.
The bright pink variety on the left is Rushmere Star, our largest flower and stem. The darkest ruffly red in the middle, is ‘Berliotz’. ‘Bagdad’ is our darkest red, but that won’t bloom for a few weeks still.
Nerine ‘Fothergillii’ has amazing stamens.
‘Hanley Castle ( on left) and Blanch Fleur on the right.

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Comments

  1. Just incredibly beautiful! Fantastic photos…I have to try these! This year, you outdid yourself Matt, and I love the color groupings-I can't say enough!

  2. In the cut flower world, I have just recently gotten some nerine that were yellow at the Boston Flower Exchange!

  3. Matt I bought a couple Nerine bulbs from a nursery in Georgia last winter and one of them bloomed last month!! A nice bright pink. Now that its finished blooming how should I take care of it for the winter?

  4. That is a staggering amount of nerine in bloom. Wonderful photos. You're right, their sparkle and play with light are difficult to capture in photos. I'm guessing mine in bloom might be Rushmere Star.

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