Golden Spider Lily (Lycoris aurea)

Golden Spider Lily: Autumn's Golden Surprise

The Golden Spider Lily (Lycoris aurea), also called Surprise Lily, is a spectacular bulbous perennial that produces umbels of 6-8 golden-yellow, spider-like flowers with long, arching stamens and recurved petals on naked, 18-24 inch stems in late summer to autumn. The foliage appears in spring, dies back by summer, then the flowers emerge "by surprise" from bare ground. Native to China and Japan.

Culture and Lore

Plant bulbs in late summer/early autumn in well-drained soil, full sun to part shade. They resent transplanting. The spring foliage must be allowed to mature to feed the bulb. Hardy in USDA zones 7-10. In cooler zones, mulch heavily or grow in pots. A magical addition to the autumn garden.

Taxonomy

• Family: Amaryllidaceae
• Genus: Lycoris
• Species: aurea