Lycoris bulbs plants and flowers for the garden

Another interesting group of plants from Asia, Lycoris including the well known Red Spider Lily or Lycoris radiata are a fairly easy to grow bulb. These autumn flowering bulbs are also known as 'spider lilies' with L. radiata being the red spider lily and L. aurea being the yellow spider lily. Flowers are followed by the strap like foliage. Other species such as and L. squamigera are also of interest and is known as the 'resurection lily'.

Growing Conditions and Plant Care

Best grown in full sun, Lycoris bulbs need to be planted with the shoulder of the bulb above the level of the soil, bulbs are available for sale and planting in the late autumn to summer. These are not a hungry bulb and require little fertilizer, they are also fairly drought tolerant. Like all bulbs leave the foilage until it dies right back as this provides the energy for the next flowering period. Flowers are fairly long lasting especially if given some protection. Becuase of the tall stems and vibrant flowers they make gret cut flowers and will last well in a vase

If clumps become overcrowded flowering will decrease, summer is a good time to divide larger clumps of Lycoris, or to repot if growing in conatiners.

Species and varieties

Lycoris sprengeri, caldwelii and incarnta are other species worth looking for although not widely avaialble for sale.