PEPPERMINT SPIDER LILY

Lycoris Incarnata is a spring foliage type and should be hardy to zone 5.  It also grows well in warm climates.  Its natural habitat is the moist, wooded slopes of China. Blooms mid summer, earlier than the red Lycoris Radiata. It is believed to be a natural hybrid involving Lycoris Sprengeri (the Tie Die Lycoris) and the robust growing Lycoris Longituba (white trumpet shaped flowers). The large flowers are white with pink stripes, and make a wonderful cut flower.  It enjoys a warm summer dormancy.

It has naturalized throughout the Midwest and Upper South, where it is affectionately called the "Naked Lady" lily. For this reason it is often confused with Amaryllis Belladonna, which is the "Naked Lady" of the warmer and dryer Western US. If your winters are cold or your summers are wet, you want Lycoris Squamigera, not Amaryllis Belladonna.

Although tollerant of lengthy dry periods, it does best with regular moisture, even during summer dormancy. As with all Lycoris, I recommend that you plant shallowly, with the top of the bulb close to the surface. The top will remain dormant until spring, but planting earlier will give a chance for roots to establish themselves.

These bulbs are medium size...about 3/4 inch across.... most will need another growing season before blooming.  Although we take care to send the freshest bulbs possible, it is common for Lycoris to sulk for a year or so after transplanting before gracing us with their summer blooms. This gives all the more reason to get them planted this year, rather than put it off for another year.

Plant in partial to full shade, in well drained humus soil. We suggest planting no more than 1 inch deeper than the top of the bulb.  Plant as soon as possible so roots can start getting established. The bulbs will pull themselves down to their ideal dept. DO NOT plant more than 2 inches deeper than the top of the bulb as the bulb will expend all it's energy making another bulb on top of the existing bulb. Water thoroughly when first planted then soak twice a month if you don't have regular rain fall.