Nerines - Guernsey Lilies

[Ann]

Is anyone experienced with growing these please? I brought 3 bulbs back from Portugal in October where there were hundreds just growing on waste ground of a ruined house (they grow like weeds out there) I completely forgot about them until a week ago, found the bag and see they are shooting. Is it too late and/or cold to plant them now? Shall I leave them sprouting in the bag, set them in a pot indoors or plant out in a sheltered spot? Thanks for your advice.

[nungate]

I'd plant them in a pot and keep it very sheltered spot until spring and see what happens then.

[boxtops]

You might be lucky, it says here to plant in autumn/early winter - have a read http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/3344719/How-to-grow-Nerine-bowdenii.html

[Ann]

Thanks nun and Boxy, I have read the article and think I will chance it by planting tomorrow. It has been a very mild Winter here in the Midlands (so far so good!) so maybe being mild will fool it into thinking it is only October! I just hope they are the hardy variety having been taken from sunny Portugal, but if I lose them, they haven't cost me anything! Watch this space .............

[Palustris]

Just remember to plant them with their shoulders showing. Unlike many bulbs they should not be planted twice as deep as the bulb is tall. We had them for a long time on a south facing bed at the base of a wall and they survived until the really bad winters of the last few years.