Following dry summers, normal in this part of the world, the
rains off hurricanes begin and everyone fells refreshed and rejuvenated. One of
the rewards of the rains is the Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiate), also known
as Surprise Lily.
Lying dormant during summer, the bulbs send up stalks about
two weeks after the first good fall rain. Soon, your breath is taken away by
its sudden brilliance. After about a
week, the stalk dies back and foliage similar to that of other lilies is
produced. The foliage stays green well into the winter. Come summer, the
foliage dies back into dormancy and the bulb soaks up the sun’s energy, ready
to reward you once more in late summer.
 |
| Such an interesting bloom! Photographed against a white tablecloth, you can see where the plant got its name. |
 |
| A few spider lilies growing in my mother's backyard. |
The History of the Red Spider Lily in the U.S.
In 1854 Commodore William Perry opened the ports to Japan
aboard some of the U.S. Navy's first steam powered ships while under orders
from President Millard Fillmore. Aboard one ship in the fleet was a certain Captain
William Roberts, who had a keen eye for horticultural treasures. While in
Japan, Captain Roberts acquired three bulbs of a plant with red spidery type
blooms. His niece would later describe the bulbs as being, "in such a dry
condition that they did not show signs of life until the War between the
States." These three bulbs survived and eventually thrived in their new
North Carolina home before spreading across the Southern U.S.
 |
| The way the sun hits the blooms in this and the following two photos gives the bloom a magical look, don't you think? |
Hoping for you a great Wednesday. Drop down below and say hello. I'd love to hear from you!
Great to know the history of the plant. They are really a suprise, just all of a sudden, there they are. Mine are spreading into the woods now and I can see how they can populate a place in a few years.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures - very colorful!
Glad to know yours are multiplying. It will be a sight to behold when they cover the woods!
DeleteWhat a fascinating history. I wonder how prolific they are in Japan? Thanks for all the pictures. Did the white tablecloth get any color from the flower?
ReplyDeleteI wonder too about Japan, Beryl. Might have to do a bit of research on that! No, the flowers didn't weep onto the tablecloth at all. They don't last long in the vase.
DeleteThe flower reminds me of the type of hat young women wear at weddings...how wide is it from one 'spider leg' to the other?Ida.
ReplyDeleteYes they do remind one of the hats seen at fancy weddings! I'd say the bloom is about 5 inches across. The spider legs and fairly close together, around 1/8 inch apart.
DeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteI assure you, I´ve never seen these flowers before, not even pictures of them. They really " pop " out.
Liked reading the history of these flowers.
They are a most arresting flower.And very easy to grow. It's always fun to learn the history of anything, in my opinion.
DeleteThey are a little fantasy of nature. The plant is totally new to me. Thanks for the history.
ReplyDeleteDarla
They do remind one of fantasy land. Would go well with your fairy paintings!!
DeleteSuch lovely lilies...I think we have these here too and I can never see enough of them...they look like they are zinging with energy. Wednesday here is cloudy and warm and ever so busy. Thank you for the lovely post.
ReplyDeleteThanks! One wishes they lasted longer, but if they did we might not appreciate them as much. They look so much like a spring bulb; perhaps that's the reason they're such a treat during these waning days of summer.
Delete