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. radiata – Red Spider Lily – This species is the most common. It is a bulbous perennial from Japan and China and grows 12-20″ tall. It bears strongly curled, rose-red or deep red flowers, 2-3″ wide, with strongly reflexed tepals and conspicuous, protruding upward curving stamens, held in umbels of 4-6 in late summer and early autumn. Semi erect, strap shaped, dark green leaves, 12-24″ long, appear after the flowers.
Zones 7-10
