Andie Rathbone

We are all familiar with red spider lily (Lycoris radiata), which is also called a hurricane lily, that blooms in late September to early October. Blooms appear each fall when the rains start again after a hot, dry summer. These bulbs are offered every year at the From Bulbs to Blooms Sale here in Tyler. This year we offered the Pink Pepperment spider lily (Lycoris incarnata) — a pretty cousin to the old red favorite.

Lycoris is a genus of 13 to 20 species of plants in the Amaryllis family, and are native to eastern Asia, primarily China. They are dormant for most of the summer and bloom in late summer to autumn on naked stalks (thus their nickname “Naked Ladies”). After the blooms, foliage appears and grows during the winter. Sometimes they are also called surprise lilies because we gardeners forget where they are planted and when the blooming stalks appear, they are a surprise.

Lycoris incarnata is hardier than many of the Lycoris, as it is hardy to zone 5. It blooms after the pink Lycoris Squamegera but before the red spider lily. Its large flowers are pinkish — white with pink stripes — and make a wonderful cut flower.

Bulbs should be planted in average, well-drained soil in a location that receives morning sun, but afternoon shade. It wants even moisture, so it will need irrigation during our extremely dry summer months, but does not like wet feet. Bulbs should be planted in the fall, with the neck of the bulb just below the surface of the soil. These bulbs multiply well and should be divided every five years right after the foliage dies.

Hopefully you were lucky enough to pick up a few of these bulbs at the Smith County Master Gardener bulb sale. They will delight you and your garden for years to come.

The Smith County Master Gardener program is a volunteer organization in connection with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.