Lycoris radiata

Lycoris radiata is a rare amaryllis relative that has showy, spider-like, red flowers and strap like foliage with a pale central stripe that emerges after the flowers fade. It flowers in late summer or autumn. The bulbs are extremely poisonous and have been used to keep rats out of rice paddies. In Japanese and Buddhist traditions they are associated with death so are not otherwise exchanged. Lycoris resent disturbance and can take a little time to start blooming again after planting. They are dormant in summer, bloom in late summer and fall, and have strap-like foliage in fall, winter, and/or spring. Photo: Wikipedia.

A wonderfully colorful fall suprise, the Red Spider Lily produces neatly rounded clusters of deep red spidery flowers atop sturdy 12-18" high stems in late summer and early fall before the blue-green narrow straplike foliage emerges for winter. The nectar rich flowers attract larger butterflies and the large yellow Sulphur butterflies seem to be especially attracted to them. This heirloom pass-a-long multiplies readily to create a dense clump of offsets that can be divided in summer. Each pot contains 3 medium to large flowering size bulbs that can be planted anytime of year from containers. Work them into garden and landscapes but they can also be allowed to naturalize in the lawn. Known by a variety of common names the Red Spider Lily is moderately drought resistant once well-established in the landscape but it is generally produces the best flower show where it gets average moisture. These plants can seem to thrive left in undisturbed clumps for years abandoned on old home places and vacant lots with little care, just imagine what they can do in a garden environment! Known by a variety of common names the Red Spider Lily is moderately drought resistant once well-established in the landscape but it is generally produces the best flower show where it gets average moisture. These plants can seem to thrive left in undisturbed clumps for years abandoned on old home places and vacant lots with little care, just imagine what they can do in a garden environment!

If you've seen these flowering, you probably remember them because they look like nothing else. Tall, straight stems, red "eyelash" flowers, often growing in sweeps that are breathtaking. Lycoris are also remarkably easy to grow . . . nice.

True stock! This is the original Southern heirloom _ a triploid, which gives it extra vigor _ not the smaller, earlier-blooming Japanese diploid that most sources offer today. Legend has it that it was introduced into New Bern, NC, by a US Navy captain in the 1850s and spread across the country from there. With clusters of exotic, coral-red flowers, it lights up the late summer garden like fireworks, even in light shade. 18-24", zones 7a(some say 6!)-10b(10bWC)

These enchanting flowers are native to Asia. They have naturalized in many parts of the South, and can be potted plants in colder areas. They bloom in late summer to fall. I can't guarantee they will bloom this fall (since they don't like transplanting) but they might bloom if planted soon. Lycoris Radiata is sometimes hardy down to zone 5 or 6 (be sure to mulch in zone 6 and lower). It has attractive winter foliage and is one of the toughest critters you will ever grow--guaranteed! Even though its native habitat is shady woodland, I have grown it in full blistering Arizona sun, forgetting to water it for months at a time. It is summer dormant.