spider lilies
Suddenly the back yard is ablaze with vivid red lilies on bare stems. I found these Lycoris radiata bulbs under a wisteria bush where they could barely be seen when we moved here ten years ago. When I dug them out to divide them I was amazed at how many there were. Since then I have divided and moved them several more times and they just keep proliferating.
They are amazing because the stem comes up from bare earth in late September, and the foliage appears after the flowering is finished. The foliage usually burns away by mid to late spring here.
These flowers are sometimes called “guernsey lilies,” but according to Scott Ogden in Garden Bulbs of the South they are are not the true guernsey lily at all, which is really a similar looking plant called Nerine sarniensis. The true guernsey lily is from the Cape of Good Hope and legend says that it arrived on the island of Guernsey, in the English Channel, as a result of a shipwreck. The bulbs took hold there and became a staple in the English flower trade. The confusion apparently goes all the way back to Linnaeus, and it was not until 1936 that someone pointed out that this bulb, which comes from Japan, is different from the one from South Africa.
Lycoris has been planted in gardens throughout the American South since the early nineteenth century. The bulbs found in old gardens are said to be a different variety than the ones available in garden centers today, hardier and more vigorous.
September 25th, 2003 @ 8:49 pm
Week 38: 9/21 - 9/27
Photo: Lycoris radiata. 2003-09-23. Austin, Texas. The flowers stalks come up before any leaves. The purple leaves in the background are Trade…
September 26th, 2003 @ 2:30 pm
Sorry to double trackback. I didn’t even send it twice in impatience. Please feel free to delete the double reference.
I’ve had the same experience as you with Lycoris radiata. The more I divide it, the more it multiplies. I keep trying to move it where I want it, but I always seem to leave some bits behind. I’ve read that they don’t always bloom for awhile after being moved, but my experience has been the opposite. Mine have bloomed better this year than ever before, and I did a major move operation last year.
November 17th, 2003 @ 3:29 pm
WHERE CAN I BUY BULBS?
January 9th, 2004 @ 10:00 am
I have 1000 farm fresh Lycoris Radiata/Red spider lilys for sale if you or anyone is interested in purchasing some. Red Spider Lily (Lycoris Radiata) For Sale. Fresh off the farm healthy drought tolerate unuasal
5 for $10.oo, 10 for $18.95
2O for $35.oo, 50 for $75.oo, 100 for $95.oo They bloom late summer around August. plant in pots ans ground, clumps are nice or blended in to other bedding plants. Produce 2 -5 additions bulbs per year.
January 9th, 2004 @ 10:08 am
I have 1000 farm fresh Lycoris Radiata/Red spider lilys for sale if you or anyone is interested in purchasing some. Red Spider Lily (Lycoris Radiata) For Sale. Fresh off the farm healthy drought tolerate unuasal
5 for $10.oo, 10 for $18.95, 2O for $35.oo, 50 for $75.oo, 100 for $95.oo They bloom late summer around August. plant in pots ans ground, clumps are nice or blended in to other bedding plants. Produce 2 -5 additions bulbs per year. Contact me at StanNapls@aol.com or DesrtParadise@aol.com
February 1st, 2004 @ 9:27 pm
There are red spider lilies for sale on EBay for $0.99 from Shreveport, LA
February 12th, 2004 @ 8:13 pm
I would like to purchase red spider lilies or order them. Does anyone know of someone who ships or sells to South Carolina?
Bantee@earthlink.net
March 5th, 2004 @ 9:21 pm
I have beautiful red spider lilies for sale. They are very hardy and will keep their beautiful blooms for two or more weeks in the fall. Of course, weather permitting! I am selling the bulbs for $l.50 each. Customer pays the shipping.
If interested, please e-mail me.
E-mail address: Mixonsg@aol.com
April 15th, 2004 @ 11:13 am
I’d like to buy some spider lily bulbs, at least 100, maybe more! Please send me info on how I can order them quickly.
April 30th, 2004 @ 9:53 pm
please advise where i can purchase some to the spider lilies as shown above thanks
May 14th, 2004 @ 7:05 pm
The green foilage on our lillies in Georgia has turned brown and is on the ground. When can the bulbs be divided? Thanks for all responses.
Jake Trainer
August 1st, 2004 @ 8:34 am
I have beautiful lilys, which grow to about 2-ft. tall. The stem, having no leaves, produces pink blooms. The magazine photos list them as “Lycoris Lilys.” But I’m unable to find the proper care for them, such as food requirements, etc. I am located in Tennessee, where these plants do well, and I’m ALSO anxious to propagate them, if someone can furnish me information about their complete care.
THANK…IN ANTICIPATION !