The Nerine bowdenii and Nerine sarniensis are lasting well. An unusual cultivar N. ‘Quest ‘(a named hybrid of sarniensis) is growing in a clay pot in the glasshouses and flowers an abdominal purple colour are held as an umbel on the tall stalks. Not a patch on the true species for brilliance of colour but worth a look due to the unusual shade and the contrasting white anthers. The generic name derives from the Greek, Nereis, a sea nymph. Again, frost tolerance is to be taken into account when planting these long necked bulbs. Sitting proud of the soil they can rot in severe winters.

Nerine ‘Quest’