Lycoris (Lycoris caldwellii)
Discover Lycoris caldwellii, the Lycoris Surprise Lily, blooming in September with amazing pastel yellow spidery flowers in zones 5-9.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Lycoris caldwellii, commonly known as Lycoris or Surprise Lily, is a cherished, bulbous perennial renowned for its dramatic late-season floral display. Its emergence of flower stalks without foliage—a characteristic earning it several evocative common names—makes it a focal point when many other garden plants begin to fade. This species offers soft, pastel yellow flowers held high on naked stems, adding unexpected elegance to the late summer landscape.
As a member of the Amaryllidaceae family, Lycoris caldwellii thrives when its seasonal needs are met: active growth in cooler months followed by summer dormancy. The foliage appears in spring, providing useful ground cover before vanishing entirely just as the bloom time approaches in September. Successful cultivation of Lycoris depends on respecting this cycle, ensuring the bulbs are kept dry during their summer resting period.
Gardeners appreciate Lycoris caldwellii for its relatively low maintenance once established and its perennial nature, allowing it to naturalize and form colonies over the years. For those seeking reliable, late-season color without dense leafy growth competing for space, Lycoris provides an almost magical burst of beauty that earns its reputation as a mystery or resurrection flower.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Native Range: China
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: September
- Bloom Description: Creamy white to pastel yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Lycoris bulbs should occur in the fall, ensuring they are situated in moist, organically rich, and well-drained soils. While they perform best in full sun to light shade, a location in sandy loam is also well-tolerated. Plant bulbs about 9 inches apart, making sure the top quarter-inch of the bulb neck remains exposed above the soil line.
Watering should be consistent while the plants are actively growing in spring and early fall. Crucially, maintenance pivots during the summer dormancy period; the soil must be kept relatively dry to prevent rot when the foliage has completely disappeared. Fertilization is rarely required if the soil is rich, but occasional feeding can support colony expansion.
These bulbs are generally left undisturbed as they readily naturalize, forming desirable small colonies. If you must transplant your Lycoris caldwellii, be aware that the process can interrupt blooming, and the bulbs may take one or more seasons to re-establish and flower again. For gardeners north of Zone 5, containers are essential, requiring the bulbs to be brought indoors over the winter months to protect them from harsh freezes.
Landscape Uses
The dramatic, leafless flower scapes of Lycoris caldwellii make them perfect candidates for planting where you desire an unexpected vertical accent in late summer borders. They look fantastic interplanted among lower-growing perennials or annuals that fill the space occupied by their foliage during the spring months. As the foliage disappears by summer, the subsequent blooms appear, catching the eye without visual competition from neighboring plants.
Consider integrating Lycoris into sunny borders where their pastel yellow flowers can illuminate darker greens from surrounding shrubs or evergreens maturing later in the season. Because they are best left undisturbed, planting them near edges or pathways allows their slow colonization to create drifts of color over time. For colder climates, growing Lycoris in large, deep containers allows for easy relocation indoors before the first hard frost, ensuring the bulbs survive to perform faithfully year after year.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Lycoris caldwellii, commonly called surprise lily, is a bulbous perennial of the amaryllis family. It is a sterile triploid that is native to moist to sometimes wet shady slopes in southeastern China. Narrow-linear, strap-like, daffodil-like, medium to dark green leaves (each to 12” long) appear in spring, but disappear as plants go dormant in summer. Naked flower scapes typically rising to 14-20” tall emerge from the ground in late summer (September), each scape bearing an umbel of 6-7 spidery, pastel yellow flowers that fade to yellowish-white as they age. Plants in the genus Lycoris have acquired a number of different common names over time including resurrection flower, surprise lily, magic lily, and mystery lily in recognition of the somewhat magically surprising rise from the dead of the flower stalks in late summer after summer dormancy.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Lycoris caldwellii generally boasts a clean bill of health, suffering from no serious insect or disease problems under ideal conditions. The main threat comes from overly wet conditions during summer dormancy, which promote bulb rot. Ensure excellent drainage in your planting location to mitigate this risk. Gardeners in regions cooler than the ideal range (Zone 5 and colder) must protect the bulbs from sustained freezing temperatures. Additionally, be patient; plants may take a few seasons to establish fully, especially if recently transplanted, and may skip blooming entirely during this establishment phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lycoris suitable for?
Lycoris caldwellii is winter hardy across USDA Zones 5 through 9, provided soil drainage is adequate.
How large does Lycoris grow?
This bulb typically reaches a height between 1 and 1.5 feet, with a spread of about 0.75 to 1 foot at maturity.
What sun exposure does Lycoris need?
The ideal siting for Lycoris is full sun to light part shade, allowing the plant to receive ample light while perhaps benefiting from dappled afternoon cover.
When does Lycoris bloom?
This specific Lycoris species blooms reliably in September, presenting creamy white to pastel yellow flowers.
Conclusion
The Lycoris caldwellii offers gardeners a unique structural element and reliable late-season color, making it an invaluable addition to perennial beds. By respecting the summer dormancy and drainage needs of this fascinating Lycoris, you can enjoy its surprising bloom performance year after year. Check that your garden falls within USDA Zones 5-9 before planning your fall planting schedule for these magical bulbs.
Companion Planting
Companion planting around Lycoris focuses on filling the void left by the disappearing foliage while respecting the summer dry period necessary for bulb health. Good partners include drought-tolerant succulents, ornamental grasses that die back completely by late summer, or low-growing perennials that remain tidy. Plants that require high summer moisture, like hostas or astilbes, should be avoided near the root zone of the Lycoris caldwellii to prevent moisture buildup when the Lycoris is resting.
Design Ideas for Late Season Impact
Utilizing the surprise factor is key to designing with Lycoris. Plant them lightly throughout an area rather than in dense clumps; this way, their sudden appearance in September feels more serendipitous. In contemporary designs, plant Lycoris interspersed among ornamental grasses like fine-bladed fescues or stipa species, which offer texture through the summer but fade quietly before the bloom explosion. For cottage garden aesthetics, place them near late-blooming sedums or sturdy asters, whose foliage will help camouflage the dying leaves of the Lycoris in late spring.
