Lycoris squamigera
surprise lily
East Asia (Japan and China; long-cultivated stock)
Overview
Lycoris squamigera is a bulb-forming perennial grown for the leafless flower stalks that rise in late summer after the foliage has died away. In spring each bulb sends up a clump of strap-shaped grey-green leaves 9-12 inches (23-30 cm) long, which yellow and wither by early summer. The bulb then rests, and in August a bare stalk 18-28 inches (45-70 cm) tall emerges and opens a cluster of four to seven funnel-shaped flowers. Each flower is 3 inches (7.5 cm) long, soft rose-pink flushed with lilac and a bluish edge, and lightly fragrant. The flowers last about two weeks, after which the stalk dies and the leaves return the following spring. The bulbs are 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) wide and multiply slowly into clumps over several years. Long grown in temperate gardens and naturalized from East Asian stock, it is hardy and tolerates cold winters. All parts contain lycorine and related alkaloids that are toxic if eaten. It performs poorly where summers are cool or the bulbs are disturbed, and newly moved bulbs often skip a year of bloom.
Native Range
Lycoris squamigera is of East Asian origin and is thought to derive from stock in Japan and China, where it has long been cultivated; it is not clearly known in the wild. It has naturalized in parts of the eastern United States and other temperate regions from garden plantings.Suggested Uses
Planted in borders, among groundcovers, and naturalized in lawns and woodland edges where the bare flower stalks rise through other plants. Combined with low perennials that hide the dying spring foliage. Suited to permanent plantings, as the bulbs are slow to settle after moving.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 2'4"
Width/Spread9" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Bare flower stalks rise in August and open four to seven funnel-shaped rose-pink flowers over about two weeks. The bloom appears suddenly after summer rain, without accompanying leaves. Flowers are lightly fragrant and rarely set seed, as the plant is a sterile triploid that spreads by bulb offsets.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
rose-pink with lilacFoliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Lycoris squamigera grows in full sun to part shade on well-drained soil with even moisture in spring while the leaves are active. Bulbs are planted in late summer or autumn with the neck just below the surface and left undisturbed, as moving them interrupts flowering. The spring foliage feeds the bulb and is left to die down naturally. It tolerates cold to USDA zones 5-9 and needs a warm summer dormancy to bloom well. All parts contain toxic lycorine alkaloids. Established clumps need little care and bloom more freely as they age.Pruning
No pruning is needed beyond removing the spent flower stalk after bloom. The withering spring leaves are left in place until they yellow and pull away. Cutting green foliage early weakens the bulb and reduces the next year flowering.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons