Lycoris

Lycoris Bulbs and Flowers are native to Japan, Korea and China and are sometimes called the 'Spider Lily'. Lycoris radiata is one of the more popular species grown in the UK. Lycoris squamigera, and Lycoris Aurea or 'Golden Spider Lily are also worth exploring.

Lycoris are an interesting species, they are from Asia, none do particularly well in cold frost prone climates, however with a little 'love' and care they can be successfully grown in containers. They are a bulb that does not like to be 'disturbed' so digging this one every year.

Species and propagation

• Lycoris radiata is the Red Spider Lily, flowering in late summer with the pink flowering L. squamigera a month or so earlier.
• L. squamigeras has a different flower formation, not a spider type, it is probably the most cold tolerant of the species, but it still does not like frost

They will form offsets and larger clumps can be divided every 4-5 years. A dry summer dormancy is the problem in the UK, so most gardeners grow in containers.

Lycoris Bulbs are available for sale from the following nurseries

HIMALAYAN GARDENS Ltd
28 Marywell Brae, Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland DD8 4BP, UK.
Rare and unusual Plants. Temperate and tropical flower bulbs and plants from around the world.
email bulbs@himalayangardens.com
www.himalayangardens.com