Lycoris squamigera - Resurrection Lily

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Common Name(s): Resurrection Lily 

Native to: Japan

Flowering: Late Summer to early Autumn

Watering: Water in well at planting time and then on an occasional basis to promote growth.

Planting Aspect: Full Sun, Part Shade

Preferred Climate:

 

Temperate, Grassland

Description

A hardy species of Lycoris with each stem producing 6 to 8 rose-lilac blooms tinged blue. The huge funnel shaped flowers up to 10cm in diameter, sit atop stems that grow up to 60cm in height. They have a lovely fragrance and will flower in late summer to early autumn. The straplike leaves emerge at the stem base after the flower stalks have developed and are 30cm long and 25mm wide. Lycoris are good plants for the garden border where they can be left undisturbed for many years.

Cultivation

Select a sunny location, preferably where no summer watering will be done. The soil should be free draining but moisture retentive. Prepare the growing site by digging over the soil and adding a good handful of blood and bone, rich compost or well decayed animal manure prior to planting out. Plant the bulbs with their necks at soil level and 20 to 25cm apart. Water in well at planting time and then on an occasional basis to promote growth. Discontinue watering altogether when the leaves begin to die back. A general fertiliser given in spring when new growth emerges will speed the growth. No particular pests or diseases