Well, as I said in my write-up for last week's Image of the Week article, I kept my fingers crossed, and had the pleasure of witnessing my Nerine bowdenii buds bloom!

Budding Nerine - Click image to see last week's article

Actually, I think finger crossing had a lot to do with the outcome as during the week we had some of the coldest weather we've seen in quite a while. We had heavy frosts and high winds, and at times I didn't think the delicate little flower buds situated at the end of quite long stalks were going to survive the early winter onslaught.

I mentioned previously that the plants originate from South Africa, and although looking delicate, are quite hardy, and can tolerate temperatures down as low as -15°C. However, as hardy as the plants have proven, I'm not sure that the blooms would have lasted for long after the temperatures plummeted below freezing.

Luckily, just as the flower buds started to open, the weather turned milder, and the plant presented a beautiful collection of shocking pink blooms, and finally fulfilled its promise.

So, for hanging in there just long enough to provide a beautiful floral display, I'm once again making this Nerine my Image of the Week...