Red Spider Lily
Posted: Friday, May 21, 2010
by Kathy Case
Case Exchange Co., Inc.
- Lycoris Radiata
The red spider lily is in the genus Lycoris, and in the amaryllis family. They are often called the red surprise lily.
In late summer, most often during September, red spider lilies will begin to sprout and bloom. The stems and flower buds quickly emerge reaching their height in about a week. Since they often go unnoticed until they are in full bloom, it is a surprise when all of the flowers appear because it happens in such a short period of time. There is no foliage present during this time.
The stamen of red spider lilies are also red. They reach out far beyond the petals, like red eye lashes. Shortly after the blooms fade away, the leaves of red spider lilies begin to appear, emerging from the tops of the flower bulbs. Once established, the leaves form a thick mound. They grow about eight to twelve inches long, and are less than a half-inch wide. The leaves are green with a light creamy green colored stripe along the center of its length. The foliage appears in October, then dies back at beginning of summer the following year. After the leaves yellow they can be cut or mowed.
Red spider lily bulbs are covered with a thin, protective papery skin. When the bulbs reproduce, they will divide inside this skin, similar to a garlic or shallot bulb. If conditions are favorable, in about five years, each mature flower bulb will have produced about twenty new bulbs. The bulbs will often be pushed to the top of the ground due to crowding, signaling that it is time to do some transplanting.
Like other bulbs, red spider lilies are planted with the pointed side up. The bulbs are adaptable to most types of soil. They should be planted so that the top of the bulb is about three inches below the surface. Space the bulbs about eight inches apart in well-drained soil. Red spider lily bulbs are hardy in zones seven through ten.
Red spider lilies can be planted as ornamental plants in flower gardens, borders or mass planting. They are great when used for naturalizing flowers, and make wonderful cut flower arrangements. The flowers do well in full sun; however, they will keep their bright color longer if they are grown in partial shade.
Note: The red spider lily is poisonous when ingested.
This Article has been viewed 2,770 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
More commentsI never knew about spider lilies before I read this article. You put a lot of detail in it and I appreciate you doing so, Thanks!I never knew they existed either, until I found them growing on the propertyI bought.
Hi kathy. I come from a horticultural and farming background...I enjoyed your article about the red iris.I think your article writing would improve if you decided which market you wanted to write for...either the home gardener or more dedicated horticulturalist.The reason being is that you could write more technical or more towards the layman using laymen terminology. If your writing for the layman...perhaps you could include what you like about them and why?Thanks for your thoughts.
Very informative Kathy! I have always wondered what those flowers were called! Thanks for including the picture. I also appreciate the tip at the end since I have my dog and would not want any accidents. Thanks so much for sharing!Loved sharing. Humans would be more likely to eat the bulbs, not animals or pets.
thanks for your informationYou are welcome.
What a beautiful lily, they do look a bit spider like don't they?Great article with lots of information - I shall be looking for Spider Lilies at the garden centre.Thanks for responding to the article.
What a beautiful flower -- and what an intriguing name! I'm glad to have read this.Thanks Mark. Glad you liked it.
Hi Kathy.I've always wondered why people plant things in their yards that are poisonous in one way or another. Sure, it's pretty, but do you need it that badly.Sorry, just had to get that out. But really, your article is very nice and well written.DianneThanks for reading the article Dianne.
I wish they would grow in my zone and I would have them in my garden. They do sound worth the effort and pretty.They are definately worth the effort. Thanks for replying.
Hey sister, my smiling flower! Hows life? It looks like you have also stopped writting like me. But I am back now. And when I search for the articles of all my friends I found yours which was quite old.About this article, its yet another beautiful flower in God's garden. The color is so beautifully put by the awesome God. Wonderfully described and written by you too. God bless.Hi,
It has been a while, and it's good to hear from you. I have been sooo..... busy, but it's all good. Hope to do more writting this winter.
God bless you,
Kathy
great article, thanks for sharing with us.
RichThanks Rich,
I appreciate the time that you took to read the article, and the nice comment.
Kathy
More comments
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.