Newsletter Cool Plant

Georgia Gardener Newsletter Cool Plant: September 4, 2008

Spider Lily

Lycoris radiata

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Species Native Range: Asia
Hardiness: USDA Zones 7-10
Mature Size: 18-24 inches tall and 12 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun to medium shade
Soil: Average, well-drained
Drought Tolerance: Excellent
Ease of Culture: Easy

Spider lilies (aka hurricane lilies) are an unusual late summer/early fall flowering bulb. In September, leafless stalks shoot up naked from the ground and produce scarlett red (or white, pink, etc.) clusters of spider-shaped flowers. During the blooming phase there are no visible leaves on this plant. After the flowers have died and dropped away, thin strap-like leaves will appear in the late fall that will persist to spring. The leaves disappear leaving no trace of the plant for quite a few weeks until the flower stems appear.

Grow spider lilies in average to rich but well-drained soil in full sun to moderate shade. Interestingly, my plants are in a full sun perennial bed yet the spider lilies growing at the Atlanta Botanical Garden are in a woodland setting. The plants appear to thrive and slowly spread in both environments. The trick is remembering where they are planted during their dormant period (spring to late summer) so they aren't accidentally disturbed.

Use spider lilies in a bulb garden, perennial bed, woodland garden or in containers for late season color. The bulbs will produce bulblets which should be dug and divided every few years. As a non-native, I would classify this plant as slowly colonizing small areas but is not invasive.

Sources

Spider lilies can be purchased as dormant bulbs from a variety of catalogs or as potted plants from some local nurseries.

van Bourgondien: mail order
Park Seed: mail order
McClure & Zimmerman: mail order
White Flower Farm: mail order