Guernsey Lily Nerine 'Zeal Giant'
ABOUT
Nerine 'Zeal Giant' is an ornamental plant known for its striking and vibrant flowers. The plant features a clump of strap-shaped, dark green leaves that are somewhat narrow and resemble blades of grass in appearance. Rising from the foliage, a sturdy stem emerges, which is topped with a large, rounded cluster of individual flowers. The flowers of this Nerine are particularly showy, with each blossom being trumpet-shaped and featuring recurved petals, creating an almost lily-like aspect. They are typically a bright, vivid pink color with a slight shimmer or sheen, making them quite eye-catching in the garden. Each petal might exhibit a subtle ruffling along its edge, adding to the flower's texture and visual interest. The blossoms carry a certain elegance, forming a loose umbel at the top of the stem. At the center of each flower, one can usually notice stamens that protrude outward, contrasting against the pink petals with a more muted color. These reproductive structures give the blooms an added dimension and a focal point. The overall impression of the Nerine 'Zeal Giant' is one of a lush and robust flowering plant that would bring a pop of color and an exotic flair to any garden setting.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Amaryllidaceae
Synonyms
Guernsey Lily, Jersey Lily, Cornish Lily, Cape Flower
Common names
Nerine 'Zeal Giant'
ToxicityTo humans
Nerine 'Zeal Giant', commonly known as Guinea flower, is not widely known for its toxicity to humans. However, as with any plant, sensitivity can vary from person to person. If a part of the plant is ingested, it could potentially cause stomach upset or an allergic reaction, although such cases are not commonly reported. It's always best to err on the side of caution and avoid ingesting parts of ornamental plants due to the lack of comprehensive toxicity data.
To pets
Guinea flower is not listed among the commonly known toxic plants for pets such as dogs and cats. Still, ingestion of this plant could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset, like vomiting or diarrhea, particularly in pets with a sensitive stomach or an inclination for plant chewing. It is advisable to prevent pets from chewing on or eating ornamental plants as general preventive health care.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: The Nerine 'Zeal Giant' brings a striking aesthetic with its large, vibrant pink flowers, which can enhance the beauty of any garden space.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it has good drought tolerance, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for gardeners seeking low-water plants.
- Autumn Blooming: It flowers in the fall, providing a splash of color when many other plants are beginning to fade.
- Attracts Pollinators: The bright flowers attract bees and other pollinators, which are essential for the health of your garden ecosystem.
- Easy to Grow: They are relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once they are established in the right conditions.
- Cut Flower Usage: The blossoms make excellent cut flowers, with a long vase life that enhances indoor decor.
- Bulb Perenniality: As a bulbous plant, it can live for several years and propagate through division, giving rise to more plants over time.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Nerine 'Zeal Giant' bulbs can be divided and shared among friends or neighbors as a gesture of community and sharing gardening resources.
- The plant offers aesthetic inspiration for artists and photographers, with its striking blooms serving as subjects for paintings, drawings, and photographs.
- The flowers are sometimes used in educational settings, such as schools and nature centers, to teach about plant biology and reproduction.
- Nerine 'Zeal Giant' can be part of a themed garden, like those focusing on pink-hued plants, adding to the overall visual impact.
- The plant's resilient nature makes it suitable for xeriscaping, which is gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water.
- Nerine 'Zeal Giant' can be used in the practice of feng shui, placed in specific areas of a garden to attract positive energy.
- The blooms can be used in non-traditional bouquets and floral arrangements for events that desire a touch of the exotic.
- Dried Nerine 'Zeal Giant' flowers can be used in crafts or as a potpourri ingredient due to their shape and color.
- These plants can serve as natural pest deterrents in the garden, as some pests tend to avoid the Nerine species.
- They can be used in cut-flower farming, providing a source of income for those looking to cultivate unique, marketable blooms.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Guernsey lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Guernsey lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: The Nerine, or Guernsey Lily, often symbolizes resilience because it can survive in challenging conditions and still produce vibrant blooms.
- Pride: With its striking and bold colors, the Guernsey Lily may represent pride, reflecting its showy and confident appearance.
- Transformation: The growth cycle of the Nerine symbolizes transformation, as it goes from dormant bulbs to striking flowers, indicating changes in life or personal growth.
- Good Fortune: In some cultures, the Guernsey Lily is a symbol of good fortune and is believed to bring luck to the person who receives or grows it.
WaterThe Guernsey Lily, as Nerine 'Zeal Giant' is commonly known, should be watered sparingly. During its growing season in spring and summer, water it once the top inch of soil feels dry, which may equate to roughly once a week, depending on the climate and environment. Provide about 16 to 32 onzes of water per watering, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the plant's dormant period in autumn and winter, reduce watering to about once every three to four weeks, not allowing the soil to become completely dry. Always use well-drained soil to avoid root rot.
LightThe Guernsey Lily thrives in bright, indirect light. The best spot for the plant is in a location that receives several hours of morning sunlight with some partial afternoon shade. Avoid exposing the plant to harsh, direct afternoon sun, which can scorch the foliage.
TemperatureGuernsey Lilies prefer moderate temperature conditions, thriving between 50°F and 70°F. They can survive minimum temperatures down to about 40°F; however, they should be protected from frost. The ideal condition for encouraging blooming is a period of cooler temperatures, around 50°F, in the late summer months. Avoid exposing the plant to temperatures over 80°F for extended periods.
PruningPruning the Guernsey Lily is generally done to remove spent flower stems once they have finished blooming and to tidy up any damaged or yellowing leaves. Pruning can be conducted annually, post-blooming in the late fall. This helps to direct the plant's energy towards healthy growth and flowering for the next season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFor Nerine bowdenii, commonly known as Guernsey Lily, a well-draining soil mix is essential, combining loam, sharp sand, and a bit of peat for moisture retention. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, around 6.0 to 7.0, to support healthy root growth and flowering.
RepottingGuernsey Lilies should be repotted every two to three years or when it becomes pot-bound. Repotting is best done after the flowering period, but disturbance of the bulbs should be kept to a minimum to prevent disruption of blooming.
Humidity & MistingGuernsey Lilies prefer average to high humidity levels but are tolerant of a range of conditions. They do not have specific high humidity requirements, making them suitable for typical home environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in a bright spot, water sparingly.
Outdoor
Full sun to partial shade, sheltered from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleNerine 'Zeal Giant', commonly known as Guernsey Lily or Jersey Lily, begins its life cycle with bulb formation, where nutrients are stored for the growing season. The bulb then produces strap-shaped green leaves, which will photosynthesize and provide energy for the plant's growth. After the vegetative phase, the plant transitions to the reproductive stage, where showy, funnel-shaped flowers on tall stalks bloom, typically in the fall. Following pollination, which is often facilitated by insects, the flowers eventually give way to seed capsules if the flowers are fertilized. These seeds can be dispersed by wind or animals, and upon finding suitable soil and conditions, they will germinate and grow into new bulbs. The initial parent bulb may also produce offsets, which are smaller bulbs that can be separated and planted to propagate new plants, continuing the cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
For the Nerine 'Zeal Giant', also known as bowdenii, the most popular method of propagation is through division of offsets or bulblets that form at the base of the mother bulb. This is best done when the plants are dormant, typically in late spring or early summer after the foliage has died back. To propagate by division, carefully lift the clump of bulbs and separate the offsets from the parent bulb. You should replant the offsets immediately at a depth of about 3 to 4 inches (which is approximately 7.5 to 10 centimeters) and space them about 6 to 8 inches apart (15 to 20 centimeters). Ensure that the soil is well-drained and the location receives full sun to partial shade. With proper care, these offsets will develop into flowering plants over the course of a few seasons.
