Every once and a while I go into an old folder of photographs and randomly choose an image to post about. Today it is this Guernsey Lily (Nerine bowdenii) ‘Isabel’ that bloomed in my garden this past fall.

I originally bought the bulb in a late-season clearance bin in 2011, planted it in the sandy soil at the back of the garden and completely forgot about it until it made itself known in late-2012 when a flower spike poked its head above the ground.

In this climate nerine bulbs are supposed to be pulled up and stored indoors for the winter. Most people grow theirs in pots, making them a good flowering bulb choice for small spaces and container gardens. I happen to have a few in pots as well. I suspect the resilience of this little nerine was down to sandy soil and the mild winter we had that year. Not only did it survive, but it went on to put forth a very healthy and lush globe of neon pink blooms.

Having already survived one winter against the odds, I decided to take the risk and left this one in the ground where it was to see if it will come back again.

Nerine are a fall blooming bulb that is planted in the late spring. If you’re looking to buy a bulb or three, Garden Import sells this particular variety. However, they are quite popular and I have seen them for sale at many garden shops so you may be able to find it locally.