Nerine bowdenii Bionce

Nerine bowdenii 'Bionce' is an elegant cultivar of Guernsey Lily, With 8 to 12 charming flowers grouped in umbels on long floral stems. Its delicate and wavy petals are bright white subtly tinged with light pink towards the tips and bloom before the foliage aooears. Its late flowering, in September and October, is superb. After this period, ribbon-like foliage appears in small persistent tufts during winter. Suited to mild climates, this species thrives when grown in a pot in northern regions, where it must be protected from the cold, but fully thrives in a Mediterranean climate.

Nerine bowdenii 'Bionce' is a bulb from the Amaryllidaceae family originating from South Africa, just like agapanthus. Its other names of Guernsey Lily, and sometimes Jersey Lily, come from a legend: it is said that the plant was brought to the Channel Islands during a maritime transport following the shipwreck of a Dutch ship carrying its bulbs. 
This herbaceous plant has a large bulb (3 to 5 cm in diameter), protected by a skin and extended by a neck, and equipped with a few fleshy roots. It reproduces 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 high; bearing 7 to 15, 8 cm wide lily flowers with narrow petals, wavy at the edges, in a pastel pink, marked with a darker pink central line. The flower's centre 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 late 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.

Nerines are perfect for creating elegant bouquets of cut flowers as they have excellent vase life. In southern regions, they blend harmoniously with agapanthus and Amaryllis belladonna in well-drained, sunny, and warm flower beds. These exotic-looking plants also bring a spectacular touch to a terrace, especially in contemporary-style arrangements. Further north, it is recommended to grow them in large pots: place them in the sun in summer, then shelter them during winter to protect them from cold temperatures.

Tip: Nerines are sensitive to polluted urban atmospheres.