The procession of Lycoris (Surprise lilies) continues as we pass mid-August. Here are some recent images. So far, this year, we have flowered over 300 different taxa.
Below is Lycoris aurea, which has the widest natural range of any lycoris, from India to Africa, south to Indonesia. Winter hardiness of this fall-leaf species is dependent on the origin of the bulbs. Our form from China has been winter hardy here for more than a decade. Hardiness is Zone 7b and warmer.
Lycoris chinensis is looking lovely as it emerges through Calycanthus floridus ‘Burgundy Spice’. Although it looks identical to Lycoris area, above, it is a spring-leaf species, winter hardy in Zone 5.
Lycoris sprengeri ‘Blue Bell’ is one of our introductions with the most blue coloration of any clone we grow. This is a spring-leaf species, so is winter hardy north through Zone 5.
Lycoris ‘Sprung Up’ is another exceptionally nice selection of Lycoris sprengeri.
Lycoris x flavescens is a very rare, naturally occurring, spring-leafed hybrid between Lycoris sanguinea and Lycoris chinensis, found only in Korea. This is virtually unknown in horticulture. We were puzzled over a decade ago when we began getting emails that people were finding these mixed with batches of Lycoris x squamigera that they had purchased from bulb dealers. We subsequently obtained one, and flowered it for the first time this year. All plants tracked back to a single nursery, and appear to have come from a theft from the late Tennessee breeder Sam Caldwell’s private lycoris collection over fourty years ago. One of our plant friends was with Sam when the theft was discovered. Although he had moved to a retirement home, he was troubled that it was someone who knew plants very well, and also knew Sam’s health status. It’s our hope to one day make this amazing plant, which we’ve named Lycoris ‘Orange Glow’, available one day.
Lycoris x incarnata ‘Peppermint’ is a lovely spring-leaf clone that thrives for us, and puts on quite a show every year.
Lycoris x incarniensis ‘Summer Sunrise’ is a three-species, spring-leafed hybrid involving Lycoris longituba, sprengeri, and chinensis. It also should be fine in Zone 5.
Lycoris x jinzheniae ‘Haysper Gold’ is a Sam Caldwell hybrid of Lycoris sprengeri and chinensis, both spring-leafed species. Hardiness should be Zone 5
Lycoris x jinzheniae ‘September Cream Beauty’ peeks out from a clump of Heliopsis helianthoides for a lovely combination.
Lycoris x jinzheniae ‘Summer Moon’ is another superb hybrid from the cross of Lycoris chinensis and sprengeri, hardy north to Zone 5.
Lycoris x rosaurea ‘August Rose’ is a Komoriya cross of Lycoris radiata, aurea, and sprengeri. Hardiness is Zone 7a and warmer.
Lycoris x rosea ‘August Red’ is a Komoriya cross of Lycoris radiata x sprengeri, This clone show more of the L. radiata parentage. (Hardiness Zone 7a and warmer, at least.)
Lycoris x rosea ‘Fiery Cloud’ is another hybrid of Lycoris radiata x sprengeri with narrower petals and the blue/purple of L. sprengeri apparent on the petal tips.
Lycoris x rosea ‘Hazuki Elegance’ is a Komoryia hybrid, showing more of the genes from Lycoris sprengeri.
Lycoris ‘Pink Ribbons’ in another Lycoris x rosea hybrid, but one that shows none of the blue coloration from the L. sprengeri parent.
Lycoris ‘Ueki’ is another Komoriya hybrid that shows both the red coloration from L. raidata, combined with the blue tips of L. sprengeri.
Lycoris x rosensis ‘Changeling’ is a Phil Adams hybrid between Lycoris sprengeri, radiata, and chinensis. It emerges pure white on day one, and changes to pink over the next few days. These should be fine from Zone 7a and warmer, at least.
Lycoris x sprenguinea ‘Matsuribune’ is a Komoriya hybrid of Lycoris sanguinea and sprengeri. The orange color comes from Lycoris sanguinea, which is nearly impossible to flower in our summer heat. Fortunately, the hybrid is an incredible bloomer here. Hardiness should be Zone 5a and warmer.
Lycoris x straminea ‘Caldwell’s Original’ is a Sam Caldwell cross of Lycoris radiata and chinensis. The foliage emerges in fall, so hardiness will be Zone 7a and warmer. The foliage on this is incredibly durable, even during our extremely cold winters.
Lycoris x straminea ‘John Creech’ is named after the former director of the US National Arboretum. This is one of the earliest, and most compact forms of L. x straminea that we grow. It should be fine from Zone 7a and warmer.
Lycoris x straminea ‘Peachy Keen’ is one of our introductions, that makes splendid clumps. Winter hardiness should be Zone 7a and warmer.
What are the sunlight requirements for these for Zone 8 in NC? Thank you.
They have a wide range of light tolerances from 8 hours of full sun to open deciduous shade. We prefer the deciduous shade option since the foliage comes through the winter better.