Nerine (Bowden Lilies)

Nerine’s vibrant pink blooms (September - November) provide a rare autumn nectar source for late-foraging pollinators, including the ivy bee (Colletes hederae) and migrating red admiral butterflies (Vanessa atalanta). Their strap-like foliage shelters ground beetles and spiders, while their drought-tolerant bulbs thrive in sunny, well-drained borders. Planted against south-facing walls or in rockeries, they extend seasonal interest alongside UK-native Hedera helix (ivy), creating vital late-season pollinator corridors. Though non-native, their resilience and striking flowers make them ecologically valuable in urban gardens, bridging the gap until winter.