Lycoris (Lycoris sanguinea)
Discover Lycoris sanguinea, a showy, fragrant summer-blooming bulb from China and Japan, ideal for zones 6-10.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
This striking bulbous perennial, Lycoris sanguinea, brings vibrant, unexpected color to the late summer garden. Belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, this species is native to Japan and China and offers a unique seasonal display. Gardeners prize Lycoris for its dramatic emergence, often called the “resurrection flower” as flowers appear seemingly from nowhere after the foliage has vanished.
The classic display of Lycoris sanguinea features naked scapes rising to two feet, bearing umbels of 4-6 intensely orange-red flowers. While the strap-like green leaves emerge in spring, they often die back before the true summer show begins, making companion planting essential for masking this dormancy period. Successful cultivation of this Lycoris involves balancing its needs for moisture during growth and dryness during summer dormancy.
For gardeners in zones 6 through 10, integrating this bulb provides reliable, relatively low-maintenance color during late summer months. Whether used to naturalize under deciduous trees or placed in defined borders, Lycoris sanguinea offers a sophisticated floral structure and pleasing fragrance that elevates perennial plantings.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Native Range: China, Japan
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-2 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: August to September
- Bloom Description: Orange-red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Lycoris sanguinea should occur in the fall when bulbs are dormant. Select a location offering organically rich, well-drained soil, situated where they receive full sun to part shade; note that best flowering occurs in light afternoon shade. When planting bulbs, place them about 9 inches apart, ensuring the top quarter-inch of the bulb neck remains exposed above the soil line.
Maintaining established Lycoris requires providing medium water, especially when the plants are actively growing—that is, during the spring when leaves are present and throughout the summer when scapes are developing. A crucial cultural practice is allowing the soil to become relatively dry during the peak summer dormancy period to mimic natural conditions in Japan and China. Plants are generally best left undisturbed once established, as they will happily naturalize by producing offsets over time.
For gardeners north of USDA Zone 5, overwintering is necessary. In these colder climates, grow Lycoris sanguinea in large, deep containers that can be brought indoors before the first hard freeze to protect the bulbs. For those in the recommended range (Zones 6-10), the plant is winter hardy outdoors, provided the soil conditions are managed correctly to prevent waterlogging during dormant periods.
Landscape Uses
The upright structure and bold color make Lycoris sanguinea an excellent choice for defined borders where its late-season performance can be showcased. Since the foliage disappears by early summer, interplanting with other perennials, low-growing ground covers, or summer annuals is highly recommended. This strategy ensures continuous visual interest so the bare patch left by the dying Lycoris leaves remains covered during the mid-season lull.
This plant naturally spreads via bulb offsets, making it ideal for naturalizing under high-branching trees or along woodland edges where the filtered light complements the sun requirements. The orange-red trumpets are particularly effective when massed, creating a dramatic surprise in late August and September. Consider pairing them with late-blooming sedums or asters that can fill the backdrop as the Lycoris finishes its cycle.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Lycoris sanguinea is a bulbous perennial native to Japan and China, recognized by its strap-like, dark green leaves that emerge in spring only to vanish before the flowers appear. In mid-summer, naked scapes rise, bearing funnel-shaped, orange-red flowers that are sometimes shockingly mistaken for appearing from “the dead”—earning the genus nicknames like resurrection flower. The specific epithet sanguinea references blood, though the flowers lean more orange than true red.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Fortunately, Lycoris sanguinea generally faces no serious insect or disease issues under appropriate growing conditions. The most commonly reported issue is establishment time; gardeners should be patient, as the bulbs may take a few seasons to fully acclimate and produce their best floral displays, especially when first moved or planted. Ensure excellent drainage, as bulb rot is a primary concern if soils remain perpetually soggy, particularly during the summer dormancy when the plant requires drier conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lycoris suitable for?
Lycoris sanguinea is winter hardy in USDA Zones 6 through 10.
How large does Lycoris grow?
This species typically reaches a height between 1 and 2 feet, with a spread of 1 to 1.5 feet at maturity.
When does Lycoris bloom?
The stunning Lycoris flowers emerge from August to September, displaying an orange-red hue.
What sun exposure does Lycoris need?
Lycoris sanguinea prefers full sun conditions but will also perform well in part shade, with flowering often being best in the latter.
Conclusion
The reliable, late-season performance of Lycoris sanguinea, marked by its fragrant, showy orange-red blooms, makes it an indispensable addition to the late-summer garden tapestry. While it requires attention to drainage, especially during summer dormancy, the reward is a truly magical display provided by this fascinating bulb. Check your local USDA Zone compatibility and ensure you purchase quality bulbs to plant this fall for spectacular results next season.
Companion Planting
Selecting the right neighbors is key to successfully growing Lycoris sanguinea, primarily because the foliage disappears when other plants are looking their best. Group these bulbs with bold, late-season perennials whose foliage will happily cover the empty space left by the fading Lycoris leaves. Excellent companions include Shasta Daisies, Autumn Joy Sedum, or various ornamental grasses whose upright habits mirror the emerging flower scapes.
Avoid planting companions that require consistently wet feet through July and August, as the Lycoris bulbs resent excess moisture during their dormant phase. Ground covers that spread slowly and prefer slightly dappled sun, such as creeping thyme or creeping phlox, work well at the base, providing a living mulch that keeps the soil cool without over-saturating the planting pocket throughout the summer.
Design Ideas
In formal settings, mass plantings of Lycoris sanguinea along the edges of perennial borders create stunning vertical punctuation marks right before other fall standards kick in. Their height (1-2 ft) positions them perfectly in the middle layer of a tiered border design. For dramatic effect, plant them in drifts near pathways where the surprise emergence of their bright flowers is immediately visible to garden visitors.
If you have an area that dries out well after the spring rains, utilize the use case of “Naturalize” by scattering the bulbs loosely beneath mature trees where they receive dappled shade most of the year. This allows the Lycoris to blend into a more informal setting, re-emerging annually as a dependable, low-maintenance highlight without needing constant fuss once established.
