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Nerine filifolia, by
Paddy Maguire
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This
small bulb is really worth growing, as it
flowers at a time when new colour is most
welcome, i.e. September / October. It has fine
green leaves 20 - 30 cm., and stems 15cm. or
more, with pink petals with wavy margins.
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| Nerine
filifolia is native to the Eastern Cape,
Free State, and Mpumalanga in South
Africa as well as Swaziland, where
it occurs widely in various
spots, always between rock slabs
or in shallow soil overlaying
rock.
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This nerine is
considered half-hardy; however, after growing it
in a pot and keeping it outside for the summers
and in the greenhouse over winter, it had
increased sufficiently after several years that
I decided to try a few bulbs in a scree bed
outside all year. It probably doesn't prove
anything much, but for the last three years it
has survived and bloomed nearly as well as the
pampered version! Perhaps this cold winter
that we are promised will put an end to the
trial!
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This is an
excellent and easy addition to our garden, and
it is what John McWhirter would have called 'a
well behaved plant'. It certainly gives me great
pleasure.
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