Nerines
The RHS has a long and continuing interest in nerines, especially since it received 472 different plants from C.A. Norris, when his Nerine Nursery closed in 1993. But earlier than this, Francis Hanger, curator of Wisley (1946-1961), came from Exbury where there was an active Nerine breeding programme. He brought with him plants of N. bowdenii ‘Mark Fenwick’ which received an AM (1945) and FCC (1966), which is still growing at Wisley. Most recently there was the hardy nerine study day which was held at Wisley in October 2007, the report of which can be viewed here:
Download the proceedings from the hardy nerine study day (Adobe Acrobat pdf 1.16MB)
Award plants
Three nerines have been awarded the AGM:
Nerine bowdenii (1927, reconfirmed 1993)
Nerine sarniensis (2002)
Nerine ‘Zeal Giant’ (1999)
The FCC has been awarded to:
Nerine ‘Alice’ (Rothschild, 1945)
Nerine ‘Aurora’ (Rose, 1920)
Nerine bowdenii ‘Mark Fenwick’ (Hanger, 1966)
Nerine ‘Elegans Alba’ (Ware, 1893)
Nerine × excellens (Ware, 1888)
Nerine ‘Hera’ (Rose, 1920)
Nerine ‘H.J. Elwes’ (Barr, 1919)
Nerine ‘Lady Cynthia Colville’ (Gallagher, 1977)
Nerine ‘Nelson’ (Rothschild, 1955)
Nerine ‘Rotherside’ (Smee, 1968)
Nerine sarniensis var. corusca ‘Major’ (Watson, 1864)
Nerine × versicolor ‘Mansellii’ (Mansell, 1887)
National Plant Collections
Currently there are four collection holders for Nerine, details of which can be found on the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens NCCPG website
Nerine & Amaryllid Society
The Nerine and Amaryllid Society is actively involved in promoting interest in Nerine and is the International Cultivar Registration Authority for Nerine.
Alternatively contact the Secretary, Mr Michael Garrett, 9 London Road, Bozeat, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN29 7LZ
Links
Other useful sites with Nerine information:
International Bulb Society (USA)
Indigenous Bulb Growers Association (South Africa)
Further reading
Duncan, G. (2002). Grow Nerines. Kirstenbosch Gardening Series. 76pp
Grimshaw, J. (2007). Neon Lights (Plants Profile). The Garden 132: 590-591.
Norris, C.A. (1974). The genus Nerine. Nerine Society Bulletin 6: 7-29.
Smithers, Sir P. (1993). Nerine sarniensis. The Garden 118: 190.
For more information contact:
Dr John David, Head of Botany, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB
Email: johndavid@rhs.org.uk
Linda Jones, Secretary of the Herbaceous Plant Committee, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB
E-mail: lindajones@rhs.org.uk