Lycoris radiata
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Light Requirements:
Full
Genus:
Lycoris (LY-kor-iss)
Flowering Season:
Fall
Species:
radiata (rad-ee-AY-tuh)
Planting Time: Spring
Geophyte Organ: Bulb Hardy with mulch in zone 7
Lycoris is from the name of the beautiful Roman actress who was the mistress of Marc Anthony. The Lycoris group or genus is in the amaryllis family and are hardy throughout Georgia.
Most gardeners call the genus Spider Lilies due to the spidery petals of the bloom. The white-flowered, spring-blooming hymenocallis also holds the Spider Lily connotation.
Spider Lily is also known by other common names such as Naked Lady because it has no foliage when in bloom, and Schoolhouse Lily because it was in bloom when kids started school. The term Hurricane Lily may be just a little too familiar after the 2004 hurricane season!
Spider lilies are a novelty in the world of ornamental plants. The foliage appears in spring and dies back to the ground in the heat of summer. In fall, usually after a soaking rain, long leafless stalks spring forth from the ground to render spidery-like flowers with wavy-edged segments and long stamens.
Pictured: L. aurea (Yellow Spider Lily) and L. radiata (Red Spider Lily) both bloom latest of the species. L. radiata is the easiest to grow and L. aurea is less hardy. L. elsiae is a hybrid of L. radiata.
Lycoris elsiae Lycoris aurea
A bulb is a specialized underground organ consisting of a short, fleshy, usually vertical stem axis (basal plate) bearing at the top a growing point or a flower bud enclosed by thick, fleshy scales. There are two types of bulbs; the tunicate or laminate type represented by the daffodil and tulip, and the non-tunicate or scaly type represented by the lily.
Lycoris is among a wide variety of bulbs that grow successfully in Georgia. Bulbs can be grown as pot plants, in shrub borders, naturalized areas or in mass displays. Our transitional temperature zone allows a large variety of plant material that includes Narcissus (Daffodils and Jonquils) and many varieties of Iris as well as Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis), Crocus (both the species and the hybrids), Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis), many members of the Hardy Cyclamen species, and a host of others.
Spring flowering bulbs can be planted from October through December in most areas, but it is best to get them in the ground when the night-time temperatures drop into the low 50 and upper 40's for about 2 weeks. This will give the roots time to grow and nourish the bulb before the growing season starts. It is best for the planting to be complete before the end of the year, but the bulb needs to be in the ground to survive.
Remember to divide perennials, including Spider Lilies, opposite their season of bloom. Divide mature clumps about every five years or when they get too crowded. Divide by digging in the late spring as the foliage is dying down. Separate the bulbs and then replant.
For everything you might want to know about flowering bulbs for Georgia (bed preparation, selection, planting, care and maintenance) please go to:
Sources:
Mississippi State University Office of Agricultural Communications,
‘Southern Gardening’
‘Spring Flowering Bulbs’ by William A. (Dub) Strickland
Master Gardener Coordinator & Horticulture P.A.
‘Flowering Bulbs for Georgia Gardens’ by Paul A. Thomas and Gary L. Wade, Extension Horticulturists of The University of Georgia
The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheets
NC State University Extension Service Fact Sheets
Pictures:
NC State University
For more publications like the one above
Publications/Fact Sheets index
The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.