Nerine bowdenii Bianca Perla

The Nerine bowdenii 'Bianca Perla' is a cultivar of Guernsey Lily or Jersey Lily, a bulbous plant originating from South Africa, just like agapanthus. This one enchants with its 8 to 12 flowers gathered in umbels by a floral stem, with delicate undulating petals, of a bright white colour, which bloom while the foliage is still absent. Its late flowering, in September-October, is remarkable for its beauty and light fragrance. After flowering, the ribbon-like foliage re-emerges in small evergreen tufts in winter. Suited to mild climates, this species is ideal for potted cultivation in cooler regions, where it must be sheltered during winter, but thrives in a Mediterranean climate.

The Bowden's Nerine 'Bianca Perla', also named "Cape Flower" due to its origins, is said, according to legend, to have been brought to the Channel Islands during a maritime transport and stranded there, following the sinking of a Dutch ship carrying its bulbs. This herbaceous plant has a large bulb (3 to 5 cm in diameter), protected by a tunic and extended by a long stem, with some fleshy roots. It propagates vegetatively by producing bulblets on the periphery of the mother bulb. In late summer, for 2 to 3 weeks, the plant produces floral stems about 50 cm tall; bearing 7 to 15 wide lily flowers of 8 cm, with narrow petals, undulating at the edges, in a pastel pink, marked with a deeper pink midline. The heart of the flower has long, soft pink stamens. After flowering, ribbon-like leaves appear, about 20 cm long and 1 cm wide, arranged in two opposite rows. The leaves die at the end of spring, and the bulb then goes dormant until the end of summer. During this summer dormancy period, the bulb must be protected from excessive moisture. Nerine bulbs do not bloom every year. Therefore, it is advisable to plant them in groups to ensure flowers every year.

Tip: Nerines are sensitive to polluted urban atmospheres.