A member of the Amaryllis family, Lycoris (Spider Lilies) are striking bulbous perennials boasting showy umbels of funnel-shaped flowers on naked stems in late summer and early fall. Appearing almost magically since there is no foliage to indicate where their bulb has been planted, they pop out of the ground in a pretty array of bright colors and last about 2 weeks. As if refusing to appear with the flowers, the foliage of linear or strap-shaped leaves emerges before or after flowering, remaining fresh-looking for weeks before dying down in summer.

1. Select The Right Site

• Best flowering occurs in full sun or light shade for most Lycoris species except Lycoris radiata (Red Spider Lily) which thrives in partial shade (especially in hot climates).
• Lycoris perform best in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil that dries out in summer. In areas with wet summers grow your spider lily as a container plant.
• Lycoris plants are best left undisturbed in the soil as they resent transplanting - so make sure you select the right home for them.