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Bulbs

Nerine bowdenii 'Top Hat'

Bowden lily 'Top Hat'

A summer-dormant perennial autumn-flowering bulb with large terminal umbels of wavy-petalled funnel-shaped mauve-pink flowers with a white mid-stripe, followed by the growth of rich green long, strappy foliage in autumn once the temperature drops. Has a longer flowering season of upto eight weeks and stands out for its magnificently strong foliage.

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0–0.1 metre

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Nerine are summer-dormant, perennial bulbs with erect leafless stems each bearing a terminal umbel of funnel-shaped flowers in autumn, and strap-shaped or linear leaves appearing after the flowers
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Will grow best in well-drained soil preferably in a sheltered position and in full sun for best flowering performance. Plant bulbs 10cm apart with the neck of the bulb showing above the soil except for colder areas where they will prefer to be planted 5cm underground for frost protection. See also Nerine cultivation.

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Gravel garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Remove spent flower heads to avoid self-seeding and clear away dead foliage once the plant becomes dormant

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to virus diseases

Get involved

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