Surprise Lily
Lycoris squamigera
This year the Surprise Lily suddenly reappeared in my yard (seaside near Exmore) the last week of July. Unlike most bulbs, Lycoris squamigera has foliage that grows in the late winter and goes dormant in the summer. The leaves resemble daffodil foliage but are thicker and stiffer. The flowers of L.squamigera are large, about three inches in length, rose-lilac or pink in color and tubular in shape.
From the article, Garden Lycoris and More by James W. Waddick: Lycoris squamigera on the Pacific Bulb Society webpage. “… the flowers are large, bright pink and abundant. … This species has spring foliage and is hardy through Zone 5 and at least parts of Zone 4. All plants in cultivation are sterile and do not produce seed. It is believed to be a natural triploid hybrid of L. longituba x L. sprengeri. It originated in China.”
Resources
Lycoris | Pacific Bulb Society
Retrieved 05/11/2024 This page lists species and hybrids of the genus Lycoris
05/14/2024 Introduction to four species successfully grown in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Surprise Lilies | Yard and Garden (iastate.edu)
Retrieved 08/02/2024