Lycoris radiata (Spider Lily)
About this time each year, we are surprised by the sudden appearance of the spider lilies. Emerging on naked stalks with no hint of the foliage that is to come, these beautiful members of the Amaryllis family stake their claim on the Southern landscape in late August or early September.
Leafless stalks push their way out of the ground, and gradually top out at one to two feet tall. Buds open to reveal an umbel of 4-6 coral red flowers. One can understand how the common name “spider lily” came about, for each flower has exceptionally long stamens resembling spider legs. Flowers are followed by grassy foliage that remains throughout the winter. Come summer, it dies down and we are unaware of its presence until the following fall.
Culture
Plant Lycoris bulbs in organically rich, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Place bulbs 4- 6 inches deep and about 9 inches apart. No serious problems are associated with this old-fashioned, pass-along plant, so once planted and established in the landscape, it can be expected to live for many, many years.
Propagation is by division of the bulbs. In time, the bulbs will naturalize and form small colonies. Although bulbs are best left in place, they can be dug and divided. If division is attempted, it should be done in early summer just after the foliage has died down and the plants are dormant. After disturbance, the bulbs take a year or two to get settled back in, so don’t be disappointed if your spider lilies do not bloom the same year they are planted.
In the Landscape
Plant bulbs in places in the landscape where they are unlikely to be disturbed. They fit in almost anywhere. Place them in front of shrubs with dark green foliage, such as Aucuba or Podocarpus so that their bright color pops in the landscape. If desired, position them among ferns or other shade-loving perennials where the starkness of their naked stems will be camouflaged. They even compete successfully with tree roots and will be happy underneath deciduous trees such as crape myrtle, rose of Sharon, or even live oaks.
Kinds and Availability
The spider lilies that our grandmothers grew are hard to find in the landscape trade. The old-fashioned Southern plants have an extra chromosome, and so are triploids with greater vigor than the diploid varieties being sold today.
Other Lycoris are available and can be found in bulb catalogs and on-line sources. According to Scott Ogden in Garden Bulbs for the South, most are hybrids of the scarlet L. radiata, the golden L. africana and the saffron L. traubii, or other oriental species. Most of these Lycoris are excellent garden subjects and well worth including in Southern gardens.
However, if you know someone who has grown spider lilies in their landscape for years, don’t turn them down if they offer you a few bulbs. Take them and run. Don’t say thank you or see you later or anything else. Just dash on home, plant your treasure, and putter around your garden until the flush of jubilation wears off. Later you can take your benefactor something special from your garden. That’s the Southern way.
At A Glance
Common names: Spider lily, hurricane lily, naked lady
Scientific name: Lycoris radiata
Say: ly-KOR-iss rad-ee-AY-tuh
Family: Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis)
Origin: China and Japan
Size: 2-3 ft. tall in bloom; foliage 6-8 in. tall
Zone: USDA 7-10
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Water: Drought tolerant
Soil: Well-drained, organic