Lycoris squamigera Seeds | Surprise Lily
LATIN NAME: Lycoris squamigera
COMMON NAME: Surprise Lily
Plant Profile
Lycoris squamigera, commonly known as Surprise Lily, is a species in the amaryllis family with a long record in gardens. Surprise lily bursts tall, naked flower stems straight from bare ground in late summer, each stem holding cluster of pink, trumpet-shaped flowers, strap-like leaves following in autumn and growing through the winter. The flowers come before the leaves, which is how the plant got its name, and the whole clump carries the fresh, surprising look of the amaryllis family. Stems rise from plump, underground bulbs, flowers open wide and lily-like, and plant settles into long-lived clumps. It is hard to name another plant that gives this much for this little trouble.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the amaryllis family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Surprise lily raises a genuinely interesting question in plant form: why flowers come first and leaves follow, months later. Little about its garden performance is mysterious; it has been grown and observed for a very long time.
Uses & Benefits
Surprise Lily brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. In late-summer garden, surprise lily is final performance of the season. Pink flowers burst from bare ground when border is winding down, clumps spread into long-lived drifts, and leaves grow quietly through winter and the spring. Patient, rewarding and full of surprise. Once it has its roots down, it more or less looks after itself.
Surprise lilies are dazzling autumn bulbs; they contain lycorine and galanthamine-family alkaloids, the chemistry behind an approved Alzheimer’s drug, which also makes them toxic and strictly ornamental.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Surprise Lily, and the process is uncomplicated. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in partial shade. Shift the seedlings into small pots as soon as they can be handled, and give them bright light until planting-out time.
Our Take
Surprise Lily repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
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