We challenge you to find a more exotic-looking selection of fall flowering bulbs than Breck's Naked Ladies Collection! The four varieties in the collection are also simple to grow, unappetizing to deer, and draw butterflies and other pollinators. To top it off, they are some of the longest-lasting cut flowers available!
Before we continue, let's address the elephant in the room--the name! In a nutshell, it's about the foliage. The term "naked ladies" has been used for ages to describe nerines and other similar plants. Depending on your climate and summer rainfall, the slender flower stalks often shoot up when the base foliage isn't present, leaving the blooms in a unique state of "undress."
In addition to what they bring to fresh-cut arrangements, the varieties in this collection provide late-season charm and colour to garden beds, herbaceous borders and patio pots. Bearing exquisite blooms of white and several shades of pink, they will contrast brightly with the more russet tones of the fall landscape.
These four varieties produce large, 4-4½" clusters of five to 10 flowers, which are white or various shades of pink. Their narrow, wavy and recurved petals give these blooms a lovely, delicate appearance--but looks can be deceiving! They will survive winter undamaged in zones 7-9, and while bulbs should be lifted in fall in cooler hardiness zones, these tough customers don't need much else in the way of maintenance. Naked ladies are long lived in the garden and are some of the longest-lasting cut flowers around. Adding further to their appeal in floral arrangements are their long, sturdy stems and slight musky scent. This fragrance attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and honeybees, but also signals foraging deer to leave them alone.
Collection Highlights
- Yields lovely late-season blooms
- Recurved flowers resemble lilies
- Lasts long in arrangements
This collection includes 3 each of Amandi, Alba, Anastasia and Vesta
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Amandi: Flowers are bubblegum pink with deep pink stripes running down the middle of the petals, which elegantly curl back. Their tall stems make them stand out even more in a bed, border or container garden. Height: 24-30" Nerine bowdenii
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Alba: Sprays of pure white, star-shaped blooms are gracefully held aloft on slender but sturdy stems. Narrow, twisted petals curve back to give these scented flowers the look of lilies. A great addition to a late summer mixed border or bouquet. An excellent container flower, too. Height: 18-24" Nerine bowdeni
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Anastasia: The vibrant, shocking-pink blooms of this beauty will add pops of dazzling colour and fragrance to your landscape and patio pots long after most flowers have faded. You'll be amazed at how the flowers clusters appear to dance in the autumn sunlight. Height: 24-30"Amarine belladiva
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Vesta: Umbels of soft pink blooms add a late-season feminine touch to the garden bed or border. These groups of trumpet-shaped flowers grow on distinctive, leafless stems for weeks and continue to impress when snipped and used for indoor décor. Grows well in planters. Height: 16-20"Nerine bowdenii
