Lycoris chinensis [yellow]

Once the darling of a few collectors, Lycoris Chinensis is now attainable because of the recent expansion of trade with China. It is a spring foliage type and therefore should be cold-hardy at least to zone 6, colder with mulch. Its native habitat is the moist, wooded slopes of Eastern China. It has the same classic spider-like flowers as Lycoris Radiata, but in a beautiful gold. The exact color of yellow is somewhat variable depending on growing conditions and the genetic expression of the particular bulb you get. Blooms in later summer. Although tollerant of dry periods, it does best with regular moisture. As with all Lycoris, I recommend that you plant shallowly, with the top of the bulb close to the surface. The top will remain dormant until spring, but planting earlier will give a chance for roots to establish themselves. We sell large blooming size bulbs, aproximately 14 cm around but subject to some variation depending on what we dig up. Although we take care to send the freshest bulbs possible, it is common for Lycoris to sulk for a year or so after transplanting before blooming in late summer.

And-suddenly-the-earth-smiles -- this translation of the Chinese name perfectly describes these summer-dormant, amaryllis relatives emerging from bare earth to produce their flowers prior to leafing out. Though one of a series introduced by Jim Wattick as L. aurea, it is probably not since aurea seems to be species in which to lump every occurrence that isn't red. This, with pleasing creamy yellow florets, has been relatively vigorous, seemingly happy with winter or summer drought in lightly dappled shade to full sun. Frost hardy in USDA zone 7.