Our collectiom of Nerines came into our possession by a strange way of circumstances.
Paul and I were rather fortunate in 2007 to acquire an
extensive Nerine sarniensis hybrid collection from Mr. Charles Hardman.
History of the collection:
In 1952 Mrs Emma D. Menninger from Southern California and her
husband ordered 1 of every variety of the Exbury Collection from the
Rothschild Estate. This probably brought one of the premier Nerine
sarniensis collections to the USA. Mrs. Menninger was involved with
taking these plants and hybridizing, particularly nice whites. She
called her “new” hybrids the Green Oaks collection.
I believe in the 1960’s, the Menningers were involved in
an automobile accident that had a devastating effect on their ability
to garden. Mr. Charles Hardman volunteered to transplant their
extensive Nerine collection and was given 1 specimen of all the
varieties that had multiple bulbs available. It took a number of weeks
for Charles to transplant the collection.
Charles continued with hybridizing the Exbury and Green
Oaks and his varieties were grown under the name of the Holly Oaks
Collection. Charles also obtained plant material from Sir Peter
Smithers , Russell Grant, Harrison and others.
During this time period, from literature I have read the
original Exbury Nerines (UK) were placed in the capable hands of Sir
Peter Smithers, who hybridized the Exbury collection on. Sir Peter was
very specific and selective on the plant material and I am not sure
how much of the original Exbury material was retained. When Sir Peter
was unable to continue with the Nerine collection, it was returned to
the Rothschild Estate, where it resides today.
What we are growing
We are growing a vast number 2000+ flowering sized bulbs
of various known numbered crosses of mostly sarniensis. (Both parents
known). We also have a large number (300+) of named hybrids. We also
have a number of Nerine species growing.