Surprise and Delight: the Season of Lycoris Begins!

No matter how many long I have known and grown Lycoris (surprise lily), I am always surprised and delighted when the first bloom scape shoots out of the ground.  I'm on the lookout for them in early July, as soon as peak daylily season begins to wane.  On my several walks through the garden each day, I eagerly check every spot where I know they're planted.  

For me, the surprise lily season normally begins the first or second week in July with the cheerfully sunny Lycoris chinensis.  Its flowers are the most delicious warm yellow, somewhere between Lemon Yellow and Buttercup Yellow of the British Colour Council's Horticultural Colour Chart  (#nerdalert).*  This bulb has been with me since 2020, thanks to a very generous fellow Lycoris-o-phile friend who grows it--and many others--in Maryland.  Everything I had read about yellow types (mostly referencing L. aurea, which can be tricky in this section) did not instill much hope of the Chinese yellow surprise lily's survival in my garden of tough love, but... surprise and delight!... it has bloomed every year since 2022.

*Read more about my love of color charts here.  

It's always sunny with L. chinensis!

I said the season normally begins with L. chinensis because this year my faithful bulb has been quite slow to show itself.  Yesterday, on our evening walkabout, I found a swollen pale green bud an inch out of the ground.  Pshew!!

This year's change in the usual lycoris line-up has been further disrupted by the FIRST-EVER flowering of L. sprengeri (electric blue spider lily)!  This one came to me from the same generous friend at the same time.  I honestly didn't think it was even still here.  More surprise and delight!!

It's electric!  L. sprengeri lives up to its common name.

In my experience, years spent incognito is not altogether uncommon behavior with this particular type.  Case in point: I had a whopping ONE-TIME flowering from L. sprengeri in Elizabeth Lawrence's garden over the course of 13 years.  A few other gardeners I know have had somewhat better luck, but they are probably not as neglectful as I am.  

Following quickly on its electric blue heels was the first scape of L. x squamigera (pink surprise lily, resurrection lily, naked ladies), about which I wrote much in this post from last year.  Several groups of this pale iridescence grace our garden, and when they're in bloom I always wish for more.  These are decent multipliers, so in a few years I will once again dig, divide, and spread them into other areas.

Happily glistening with raindrops, or are that sweat??  It is hot and humid, but L.x squamigera doesn't mind.

In general, Lycoris are easy and adaptable.  Plant them in average to well-drained soil that never dries out too severely or stays waterlogged, in high shade to full sun.  It is worth noting that in full sun the flowers fade more quickly.  In her research, Elizabeth Lawrence noted that they actually like clay, but in her writings recommended well-drained soil rich in hummus.  Leaf mold, compost, and a dash of grit (if I have it at hand) is my amendment recipe of choice.  

These three delightful types mark the beginning of surprise lily season, which can last up to three months!  Check back soon to see what Lycoris will be in bloom next.