Lycoris Bulbs

Lycoris lilies have several names and are often called rain lilies, hurricane lilies, surprise lily or spider lilies. The red lycoris flower bulb is the most common in the Southern naturalized growing areas and is called the &bul; Spider Lily,&bul; because of the spidery look of the oversized, red stamens that flair out from the top of a tiny red trumpet to form a pin-wheel, fluttery display of trumpets. The red flowers begin to appear in September usually during the heavy rains and monsoons that are experienced during an active hurricane season. Other colors of lycoris come from India (white, Lycoris alba) and Japan (yellow, Lycoris traubii) Other very rare colors of pink lycoris and purple are known, but not generally available to be purchased in the commercial bulb markets.

Like most bulb imports from South America, the Red Lycoris bulb flowers, not in the Spring, but in the Fall and the leaves appear not in the Spring but in the Fall, and grow vigorously during the winter. The Spider Red Lily flower grows to the size of a human hand. The flowers of red Lycoris make excellent cut flowers of long lasting floral quality. Large spider lily bulbs will often produce several stems that are topped by multiple flowers per each bulb. A five gallon pot full of flowering red Lycoris lilies make a dramatic impact when displayed on a patio. The red Lycoris flowers are called spider lilies, because the shape of the entire flower is shaped like an upside down spider. Each year a planted Red Spider Lily Lycoris will increase to form more bulbs eventually forming large clusters. The leaves of the Spider Lycoris Lily appear when the flowers fade and have and have a deep green lance shaped leaf with a midrib of light green running the length entire. Red Lycoris Spider Lilies are a favorite bulb to plant in a Japanese garden.

Pure white flowers from the White Lycoris Spider Lily Flowering Bulb appear in September and October after nights cool off from the Summer heat. The blooms of the White Lycoris Spider Lily make great cut flowers. The delicate white filaments of the White Spider Lily bloom stand out dramatically against a dark background. The White Lycoris albiflora stems can sometimes grow two feet tall, if the spider lily bulb is large and mature. The blooms of the White Flower Lycoris can last two weeks in cool temperatures. White Lycoris flowers are very effective in the landscape when planted in front of a variegated perennial plants. A cluster of Lycoris albiflora bulbs can illuminate a dark corner of your landscape during the fall blooming season.

The Yellow Lycoris Spider Lily Flowering Bulb begins blooming in July,occasionally producing a second flower stalk from larger bulbs. Flowers from the Yellow Lycoris Spider Lily Flowering Bulb appear at harvest time. The flowers of the Yellow Lycoris Spider Lily Flowering Bulb appear lacy and delicate, but they are rugged and last well. As a cut flower the Yellow Lycoris stems will hold flowers of high floral quality for several days. Fall rains from storms and hurricanes will be followed by Red Lycoris Spider Lily bulbs becoming activated and the 18 inch ruby red flowers spring out of the ground to please the home gardener with their bloom. The star shaped flowers of the Red Spider Lily Lycoris are centered atop a flower stem that radiates six arched stamens from each flower.

Red Spider Lily are a great solution for adding more fall color in your landscape garden. The Red spider lily's flower consists of tiny red trumpets, but the spidery appearance comes from the extra long stamens that recurve into graceful ascending arcs with terminals of buttery yellow pollen. Many Southerners call this lily a 'Hurricane lily', because overnight this distinctive Lycoris arises out of the ground in September, during the sudden heavy rainstorms that mark the peak of the hurricane season.