Lycoris sanguinea aka Spider Lily

Lycoris sanguinea is a bulbous perennial in the amaryllis family. Gardeners also call it orange spider lily or orange surprise lily. Kew places its native range in Korea and central and southern Japan. Plants For A Future also records Japan and South Korea. Some garden sources include China in its range. It grows on lightly wooded hills and low mountains in Japan.

The plant has an upright form with distinct leaf and flower seasons. Its flower stems reach 1–2 feet [0.30–0.61 metres] tall. Its garden spread reaches about 1.5 feet [0.46 metres]. Narrow, strap-shaped leaves grow from the bulb in spring. They range from medium green to dark green. Each leaf can reach 2 feet [0.61 metres] long. The leaves die back by early summer. Bare flower stems then rise from the soil in summer.

The main flowering season runs from August to September. Each stem carries an umbel with four to six flowers. These blooms are orange-red, though Chicago also records apricot shades. Each funnel-shaped flower reaches about 2 inches [0.05 metres] long. Six petal-like tepals bend back slightly around short stamens. The flowers have scent as well as strong colour. Their arrival after the leaves vanish gives the plant its surprise-lily name.

Grow it in rich soil that drains well. It accepts full sun or partial shade. Missouri Botanical Garden reports the best bloom in partial shade. Keep soil evenly moist while the plant grows. A drier site suits its summer rest. Plant bulbs in fall, about 9 inches [0.23 metres] apart. Leave the top of each bulb neck just above the soil. Published garden ratings place it in USDA zones 6–10. Missouri's growing notes extend that range to zone 5b. The garden has also grown it outdoors in zone 6b.

Use this lily in borders among other garden plants. Low ground covers can share the space around its bulbs. Offsets slowly build small groups, so it suits naturalised plantings. Leave established bulbs undisturbed where possible. Missouri reports no major insect or disease problems. Plants there may need several seasons to settle in. Plants For A Future records cooked bulbs as a starch source. It also warns that the bulbs contain toxins and require leaching. This food record does not make untreated bulbs safe to eat. The same source lists no known medicinal uses.