Nerine is a genus of 25 species in the Amaryllidaceae family native to South Africa. Some are winter growing , some summer growing, and some evergreen. This is a genus that has also been widely hybridized as well. For photos of some of the hybrids consult the Nerine Hybrids wiki page.
Nerines are amongst the finest of our autumn (fall) flowering bulbs and deservedly popular as cut-flowers, remaining fresh for a long time. In the colder climates these bulbs, with the exception of the hardy species N. bowdenii, must of necessity be grown under glass, as they will not withstand heavy frost on the foliage.
If grown in pots or containers, the soil should be a mixture of fibrous loam, coarse sand, decayed manure and leaf mold. The bulbs should be set with the neck above the soil and whether established or just newly potted, water should be withheld until the flower spikes appear, then freely watered during the growing season until late spring until the foliage begins to turn yellow. Bulbs should be left in pots in full sun or under glass without any water at all until flower spikes appear again.
These same conditions are ideal for outside cultivation and that is why these bulbs do well in Australia and New Zealand where a Mediterranean type of climate is enjoyed. Nerines rather resent being disturbed, or more correctly, will not bloom as freely as they do when they become crowded.
(Information furnished by Bill Dijk.)
Unless noted below many of the following species are evergreen in cultivation although in their natural habitat they are dormant in winter.
Nerine was the subject of the topic of the week for the Pacific Bulb Society list in April 2003. Hamish Sloan provided an excellent introduction in two parts accessed by the following links: 
Introduction Part 1 and Introduction Part 2
Nerine alta is now included under N. undulata, but we think it is different and so we keep to the old name. This one is in situ, near Stutterheim. Photo by Cameron McMaster
Nerine angulata is now included under N. angustifolia but we think it is different so we keep to the old name. This one is in situ, near Somerset East. Photo by Cameron McMaster
Nerine angustifolia in the garden, originally from Mpumalanga. The first photo by Cameron McMaster and the second from Mary Sue Ittner who wrote: "Flowering in September 2004 in Northern California where it is mostly evergreen although I water it well in summer and shelter it a bit in winter from our rain."
Nerine bowdenii This species is a summer growing species which flowers late in the season, mostly in shades of pink. It is very hardy in cold climates and is popular for cut flowers. Photos by Bill Dijk and a white form photographed by Cameron McMaster.
Nerine bowdenii 'Manina Forrest' is very pale pink. Photo by Lyn Edwards.
Nerine filamentosa occurs only in the Cathcart district, E. Cape. Photo by Cameron McMaster
Nerine filifolia This is probably the most prolific and best known of the low growing species, and one that is deservedly popular as a border plant. In this species the grassy foliage is thin and slender while the numerous flower scapes 6-9 in. tall carry 8-10 small spidery light rosy-red flowers, freely produced during autumn. First photo was taken by Bill Dijk and the second by Lee Poulsen August 2003. A third white form was photographed by Cameron McMaster.
And the pink in habitat. Photo by Cameron McMaster.
Nerine flexuosa, now included in N. humilis. Photo by Cameron McMaster
Nerine gibsonii is a very rare species from the Eastern Cape and former Transkei.. It occurs along stream banks in wet acid soil and needs frequent water in cultivation, especially when in active growth from early summer to mid autumn. Photo by Cameron McMaster.
Nerine humilis A dwarf species with spikes of delicate rose-pink flowers, with narrow wavy perianth petals. Photos by Bill Dijk and Michael Mace.
Two photos from Cameron McMaster. The first in the garden, grown from seed collected near Napier, W. Cape and the second of a small form blooming in the wild in mass.
Nerine krigei in the garden. Originally from Gauteng. This is a summer growing species. Photo by Cameron McMaster.
Nerine masoniorum in the garden. It is a dwarf species with pale pink flowers. Occurs near Umtata, E. Cape. The first photo was taken by Cameron McMaster, the second by Lyn Edwards, the third September 2003 by Lee Poulsen.
This photo by Mary Sue Ittnershows the thread-like leaves of this evergreen species.
Nerine platypetala in the garden, grown from seed collected in Mpumalanga. Photo by Cameron McMaster.
This species grows in perennial marshes and has unique broad, flat perianth segments that are pale pink with darker pink central keels at the base. These photos by Mary Sue Ittner are of plants flowering in September 2004 in Northern California. The second photo shows a bud, a close-up of the flower with the broad segments, and a seed already formed.
Nerine pudica This winter growing species with almost white bell shaped flowers on 12 in. stems and neat blue-grey foliage, is quite different from most. This species plus others are extremely good for container growing or for larger rock gardens. Photos by Bill Dijk and Bob Rutemoeller. This species grows in the ground in Northern California, is dormant in summer, blooms in fall, and grows in the winter.
Nerine sarniensis Commonly called the 'Guernsey Lily', the name being derived from Sarnia, the latin name for the Guernsey Islands, was so called because bulbs were washed up during a seventeenth century shipwreck, and flowered so well there that the botanists first thought that this was its natural home. It is seldom seen in cultivation, but as the main parent of 300 years of Nerine breeding, it has possibly been the most important. This Nerine with its different forms is one of the best large-flowered species and is winter growing. Photos by Bill Dijk.
Photos of wild Nerine sarniensis in habitat by Cameron McMaster. This is a Nerine confined to the Winter Rainfall region and is fairly common and widespread. These pictures were taken in April on a rocky outcrop at the highest point on the road between Bot River and Villiersdorp in the Western Cape. As you see, the area had recently burned which stimulated the Nerines to flower.
Nerine undulata is a very dainty spider flower which can give a wonderful display when mass planted. The soft pink flowers are produced abundantly on 10-12 in. stems. Photos by Bill Dijk including a white version that is uncommon, but even more desirable for pots and containers. .
This photo is of one in the garden, grown from seed collected near Bedford, E. Cape. Photo by Cameron McMaster.
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