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Lycoris Red Spider Lily

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The Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata) captivates with its vibrant red, spider-like blooms, adding a dramatic burst of colour to your garden in autumn when other plants have faded. This striking, low-maintenance perennial thrives in full sun to part shade and is both drought and frost-tolerant once established, making it perfect for a range of climates. Whether planted in garden beds, borders, or large pots, its bold flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, bringing life to your garden. With a long vase life, these stunning blooms are perfect for brightening up your home with their rich, autumnal beauty!

SKU: TCLYCRED001 Category: Tags: , ,

Description

What is Lycoris?

Lycoris, commonly known as Spider Lily or Hurricane Lily, is a striking bulbous perennial from the Amaryllidaceae family, native to China. Lycoris radiata, with its vibrant red flowers, blooms in autumn before any foliage appears. The spider-like flowers, with their long, ruffled petals and extended stamens, create a dramatic display.

Dormant in summer, Lycoris requires minimal care and thrives in a range of climates, making it suitable for various garden settings like borders, rockeries, and shrubberies. After flowering, grey-green foliage persists through winter, adding texture to the garden during cooler months.

Benefits of Growing Lycoris:

  • Low Maintenance: Lycoris is easy to care for, needing little attention during its summer dormancy. It’s ideal for regions with dry summers and temperate climates. Once established, water only as needed to supplement rainfall.
  • Autumn Blooms: Lycoris radiata produces vibrant red blooms in autumn, creating a stunning focal point when other plants are past their prime.
  • Naturalising: When left undisturbed, Lycoris bulbs multiply naturally over time, forming large clumps that enhance the garden.
  • Versatility: Perfect for garden beds, borders, rockeries, or large pots, Lycoris suits both small and large gardens.
  • Frost & Drought Tolerance: Lycoris is frost-tolerant and handles drier conditions, relying on natural rainfall once established. However, keep the soil lightly moist during the flowering and foliage period, provide mulch in harsh winters, and shield from strong winds to protect the delicate blooms.
  • Cut Flowers: Lycoris blooms make excellent cut flowers, lasting up to three weeks in a vase, bringing vibrant autumn beauty indoors.
  • Pollinator Attraction: These vivid red blooms attract pollinators, adding to the ecological value of your garden.

When and Where to Plant Lycoris:

Lycoris thrives in cool to subtropical climates. The best time to plant is during its dormant period, from late spring to summer (November to February), allowing the bulbs to establish before autumn blooms. It prefers full sun to part shade, with well-draining soil, dry summers, and mild, moist winters.

  • Subtropical Regions: In humid climates, plant Lycoris in pots with well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging. In garden beds, plant in late summer to reduce the risk of bulb rot.

Planting and Care Guide:

  • Location & Soil: Lycoris thrives in well-draining, fertile soil. In cooler regions, full sun encourages vibrant blooms, while part shade in warmer climates prevents heat stress.
  • Watering: Water lightly after planting. As buds appear in autumn, water moderately throughout the flowering and foliage-growing period, then reduce or stop watering as the plant enters dormancy, depending on the climate.
  • Fertilising: Apply a balanced fertiliser or blood and bone in spring to encourage strong growth and blooms. Container-grown plants benefit from extra fertiliser.
  • Mulching & Frost Protection: Mulch around the bulbs with organic material to retain moisture and suppress weeds. In frost-prone areas, mulching or moving pots to sheltered locations adds protection.

Division:

Divide Lycoris in spring, once the foliage has died back. It’s common for Lycoris not to flower in the first year after division. With proper care, including moderate watering and fertilising, they will typically bloom the following season once established.

Companion Planting for Lycoris:

Lycoris pairs well with perennials, trees, shrubs, and ground covers. Select companions with similar planting needs and those that bloom in different seasons to create a vibrant year-round display.

Pests & Diseases:

Lycoris is generally pest-resistant, though it may occasionally face slugs, snails, aphids, or bulb mites in damp conditions. To prevent diseases like botrytis and bulb rot, ensure good airflow and well-drained soil, and avoid overhead watering.

Safety Note:

Lycoris contains compounds toxic if ingested by humans or pets. Keep bulbs out of reach of children and animals, and wear gloves when handling if you have sensitive skin.

Supplied as dormant bulbs.

Additional information

Price Code

B – Aqua Pack

Botanical Name

Lycoris radiata

Quantity in Pack

1 Bulb

Flowering Time

Autumn

Planting Time

November till February

Growing Height

30-60 cm

Planting Depth

Plant the neck of the bulb just above soil level.

Soil

Lycoris thrives in well-draining, fertile soil enriched with well-rotted manure and some blood and bone. For pots, use a potting mix with added perlite or sand for improved drainage, ensuring healthy growth and vibrant blooms.

How to Plant

To plant Lycoris, start by preparing the soil to a depth of about 20 cm, incorporating well-rotted manure and blood and bone a few weeks prior to planting to enrich it. Space the bulbs approximately 15 cm apart, ensuring that the neck of each bulb is just above the soil surface. When planting in pots, space the bulbs about 10 cm apart to allow for healthy growth. After planting, water lightly to help settle the soil around the bulbs, but avoid overwatering during the dormancy period. Once buds appear in autumn, water moderately throughout winter until the plants reach dormancy. Once established, Lycoris only requires watering to supplement natural rainfall. Apply a layer of mulch around the bulbs to retain moisture and protect from frost. In early spring, when the leaves begin to die back, fertilise with blood and bone and a bulb fertiliser to encourage strong growth and vibrant blooms.

Fertilise

A few weeks before planting, incorporate well-rotted manure into the soil and mix in blood and bone at the same time. This combination enriches the soil with essential nutrients for your Lycoris bulbs. Apply blood and bone again in early spring, when the leaves start to die back, along with a bulb fertiliser, to support healthy growth as they prepare for dormancy.

Watering

Water lightly after planting. Resume watering as buds appear in autumn, then water moderately through the flowering and foliage-growing period, ensuring the soil remains well-drained to prevent bulb rot. During dormancy (spring to early summer), water very sparingly, or not at all, depending on the climate.

Pruning

To prune Lycoris, remove spent flowers throughout the blooming season to keep the plant tidy. This helps direct energy back into the bulbs for next year's growth, as cutting spent flowers does not encourage more blooms. Allow the foliage to remain after flowering, as it continues to feed the bulbs. Cut back the foliage only after it naturally wilts and dies back in late winter. This method promotes healthy growth for future seasons.

Leave bulbs undisturbed in the ground for years to encourage naturalisation, as they thrive when crowded and tend to produce more flowers. They do not respond well to disturbance, so divide only when they become overcrowded. Keep in mind that Lycoris may not flower in its first year after being divided.

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