Description
Lycoris – Spider Lily – Surprise Lily –
There are 12 species of bulbous perennials in this genus. They occur from wooded hills or rocky sites in low mountains, and the margins of cultivated fields, in China and Japan. They are grown for their showy umbels of tubular-funnel shaped flowers which are spider like, with narrow, spreading, sometimes reflexed tepals lobes, with showy stamens and styles, held on leafless stems from spring to early autumn. The leaves are linear or strap shaped. In areas with hot summer, grow in a sunny border or rock garden.
Plant in autumn with the necks of the bulbs at the surface in fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Protect from cold drying winds.
L. aurea – Golden Spider Lily – This bulbous perennial from China and Japan grows 24″ tall. From spring to summer it bears 5 or 6 tubular-funnel shaped, wavy edged golden yellow flowers, 4″ across, with the tepals reflexed at the tips, and protruding long, straight stamens. Semi-erect, strap shaped, fleshy, glaucous, mid green leaves, to 24″ long, appear after the flowers.
Zones 8-10
