The Bulb Maven

Lycoris aurea

Just a quick post before we are off to a dog trial.  Lycoris aurea opened its buds this morning.  For reasons I don't understand, my yellow flowered Lycoris seem the most willing to bloom in pots.  Compare the picture to the left to L. chinensis below, which bloomed about a month ago.

A yellow Lycoris is often offered by bulb brokers, which they name L. aurea, however this is not the true species, but probably a hybrid of L. traubii.  I have the true species, obtained from China, although, unfortunately I have not been able to list it so far.

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Lycoris

Lycoris are often confused with Nerine, since the flower structure is similar, and they both belong to the Family Amaryllidaceae.  Lycoris, however, are from eastern Asia, with most species originating in Japan and China, where they are widely grown.  Nerine is from Southern Africa.  It doesn't help that the horticultural trade adds to the confusion, often showing pictures of Nerine when they are advertising Lycoris.  One very large bulb broker continues to show a picture of a red N. sarniensis hybrid for the lovely Lycoris radiata, the most commonly grown species.  Here it is above, with long protruding stamens that have given it the common name 'Spider Lily'.

Some of the species in cultivation may not be species at all, but are probably of hybrid origin.  Since Lycoris seed takes about 8-10 years to mature to a flowering bulb, almost all Lycoris are propagated vegetatively, and many, like the beautiful L. albiflora, seen here, do not produce seed.  It is felt to be a hybrid, its origins shrouded in the mists of time.

Not all Lycoris have the very long curved stamens seen here, but are equally lovely.  L. longituba, seen to the left, has glistening white waxy flowers with the faintest hint of pink.  It is from China, and this one does set seed for me.

There are several yellow flowered Lycoris.  One is distributed through the large bulb brokers and they call it L. aurea.  This is most certainly incorrect.  It is felt that the commonly distributed one is either L. traubii or a hybrid thereof.  I have the real species.  It is one of the most tender species, and blooms well for me.  Here it is to the right.  The Chinese name translates as "suddenly the earth smiles".  Very appropriate.  L. chinensis is also a deep yellow (not pictured).

Pink flowered Lycoris are not uncommon, and I have two, which appear somewhat similar.  The first is L. rosea, seen here to the left.  It is native to China.  Lycoris haywardii, also native to Japan, is seen here to the right.

Lycoris produce their flowers in late summer, and in most species the foliage soon follows, growing throughout the winter to go dormant in the late spring.  Some of the hardier species produce their foliage in spring, also going dormant in summer.  They are naturally woodland plants, so benefit from light shade.  They do not want to dry out completely during their summer dormancy.

I grow my Lycoris in large containers, since I do not live in a climate suitable for growing them outside.  They love a hot summer, and in parts of the midwestern United States, and also in the southern states, they flourish.  Many are hardy enough for winters to Zone 5.  I have to admit that they do not flourish in containers.  They do grow and multiply, but blooms are scarce. 

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