Quackin Grass Nursery

Nerine alta (ex: Ellen Hornig) – First come the stalks carrying the pretty, soft pink flowers; then come the strap-shaped leaves on this, one of the many fantastic South African Nerine species. Flowering stalks are bronze-green holding flame-shaped buds that are reddish-purple. Flower petals are crinkled a bit like crepe paper. They remind us of Witchhazel flowers due to the crinkling. Leaves are narrow belts. Incidentally, hysteranthous is the characteristic name applied to any bulbous plant in which flowers arrive first followed by its foliage. Ours flower reliably during November after having brought them into a cool greenhouse after having spent the spring and summer outdoors. This species which some are now placing under N. undulata does not readily increase from bulbils. These will likely be from seed-grown progeny. Coming from the Eastern Cape Province Nerine alta is found on steep slopes in partially shaded conditions. Good drainage is important in summer with drier conditions in winter advised. The addition of silica when planting may be helpful. Otherwise, this is an easy-going plant. Established pot grown bulb from seed.