Spider lily fireworks
October 04, 2014
This is the best show of spider lilies (Lycoris radiata) I’ve had in years.
You have to be patient with these bulbs, which resent being moved and may not bloom for a couple of years after planting.
But then one fall they pop up and surprise you, and you forgive them as you fall in love all over again.
All material © 2006-2014 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Whenever you mention a wonderful plant – like lycoris – I have to check and see whether I can grow here in the upper elevations of Massachusetts. And I can! According to the Missouri Botanical Garden which has such a great website with info about many many plants including hardiness. Zone 5 for Lycoris.
That’s great, Commonweeder! Plant them now and enjoy them next fall — or maybe the 2nd fall. They are rather slow about blooming after planting or moving. —Pam
This is a spectacular year for Lycoris radiata. We drove into the next county this week and they were blooming at old house sites and in roadside ditches, bigger and prettier than I remember seeing ever.
Isn’t it amazing to see these old passalong bulbs blooming after years of neglect? —Pam
Mine popped up last month. All flowers gone now but the leaves have popped up.
I’ve got another few days or a week if I’m lucky. —Pam
The oxblood lilies were happy this year as well! My spider lily surprised me – I’d forgotten about digging them in over a year ago. I’m hopeful this is only the beginning of a cycle of great blooming years for these bulbs.
Me too, Deb. I think they definitely do better when the drought abates, and this was a pretty good summer. —Pam
I found two hiding a bit under the now extra large indigo spires. So happy to see mine, too.
Are you tempted to move them, Diana, or just prune your Indigo Spires so as to enjoy them? —Pam
I haven’t grown these in years but must plant some this year. I’m glad you mentioned the delay in flowering – that will try my patience but I’ll hang in there.
Happy birthday! (Shirley mentioned it in her post.) I hope you thoroughly enjoy your day and the entire weekend!
Thanks, Kris! I had a lovely day. —Pam
I will definitely have to find out where I can get some of these bulbs. The way the stamens stick out it reminds me of the ‘Pride of Barbados’ flowers. This is my first year planting the POB (caesalpinia pulcherrima) it is just now blooming since it spent time getting established and I have already noticed the humming birds and butterflies frequently visiting.
Yes, they remind me of Pride of Barbados flowers as well. Check Southern Bulb Company, James. —Pam