Fireworks of Fall

 a single firework of fall

In the summertime, we ring in the season with the bursts of bright fireworks throughout the night sky. With the transition from the summer season to fall, the season is ushered in with fireworks seen on a lower plane of vision. Instead of looking to the sky this time of year, we look to our neighborhood flower beds, countrysides, and ditch banks along dirt roads to witness little bursts of bright red firework- like flowers. Set amidst the dark green hues of the late summer/early fall landscape, the Spider Lily offers little explosions of vivid red color to welcome the fall season, as summer slowly fades into the background. 

And just like the summer fireworks that ascend into the heavens at their own free will, the Spider Lily seems to appear wherever its free will guides it in our landscape. There seems to be no rhyme, reason or logic to the growth habit of these bulbs. They are seen in clumps, as individuals, in shade, and in sun. Some are in beds, some are around trees, and some just pop up along a random roadside ditch bank.   

the lily spotting beagle

Whatever their reason for location, they have been absolutely stunning in the Delta this year. I discovered a few popping up in my own backyard Saturday. Being too sore from my Saturday of wrestling Asiatic Jasmine in my flower beds to do much of anything on Sunday, I took the hound dog on a Sunday drive...instead of a walk (which we were both totally okay with). It was on this afternoon drive where we discovered an absolute abundance of these radiant lilies just outside the Greenwood city limits. It's as if the Delta countryside was ablaze with a fall firework show.

delta pecan grove  lily colony

The Spider Lily or Lycoris radiata, an ever so fitting name, is actually native to China or Japan. According to Chris Weissinger, The Bulb Hunter, the red Spider Lily arrived to the US via Captain William Roberts who sailed to Japan aboard some of the US Navy's first steam powered ships in the later 1800's. On his website, www.southernbulbs.com, Chris notes that the Spider Lily is resilient to the stress of drought and upon the first fall rain is when they explode into the shades of red we are experiencing right now. As it turns out the hot, dry summer we have endured in the Delta has lead to this brilliant crop of Spider Lilies seen throughout our landscape. Nature is rewarding us for our own resilience to the Delta summer with these fall beauties. 

 lilies of the roadside 

Culture: 
The spider lily is bulb that should be planted in areas with full sun and excellent drainage. The bulb performs best when kept dry during the summer months. When the flower stalks emerge, shift to watering regularly. Plant the bulbs in late summer, setting them about 1' apart. As with other bulbs, keep the neck at or just above the soil surface. Transplant and divide spider lily bulbs after blooming. Protect with mulch in the winter. 

While the red Spider Lily is the one with which we are most familiar, there are other species. There is even a white varity of the Spider Lily, Lycoris radiata 'Alba'. Other Lycoris species include: 
.

Lycoris aurea, Golden Spider Lily

Lycoris chinensis

Lycoris x haywardii

Lycrois incarnata

Lycoris longituba

Lycoris sanguinea

Lycoris sprengeri 

Lycorsi squamigera, Magic Lily, Surprise Lily, Naked Lady

(The Southern Living Garden Book, page 400).

  backyard lilies of monroe avenue

more lilies of the roadside and ditch banks

So instead of gazing upward into the night sky, take a glance at your feet in the afternoon sun to experience the shear brilliance of these fireworks of fall.

just an entire yard of spider lilies (guard dog of house prevented a better photo...)

Plants to "Tie You Over"

In the South, our days revolve around meals. At breakfast, we debate what lunch may be and and lunch we debate our dinner selections. It's easy to say, that down here we are always looking ahead. Yet, for the in between times, when hunger strikes, every southern mother, grandmother, or head cook can be heard saying, "just eat a little bite to tie ya over." (In some areas the saying goes "to tide you over", yet as an Auburn graduate, I avoid the word tide whenever possible). Where this phrase originated is a myth, but the saying has made it onto the pages of Urban Dictionary. Here it is defined as a verb, meaning (tr) to help to get through (a period of difficulty, distress, etc.). A saying with serious implications if you ask me.

Well this time of year, we are all seriously getting tired of the gray, cold, damp weather that seems to move into the Delta and even more sick of the teasing 70 degree days that hide on the calendar.  During these days, we get a brief glimpse of spring temperatures, just to be bombarded with sleet the next day...all part of living in the Southeast. So what can be done to "tie us over" until Spring really arrives? The answer is quite simple, bring some plants inside; small potted ones that can adorn your table, desk, or bookshelves. This way, little glimmers of what to come are visible throughout these winter days. 

We've all received containers, pots, pottery, and other objects whose sole purpose is to hold something. They've appeared as Christmas gifts, wedding gifts, or "had to have it" gifts to ourselves. Now, instead of sitting empty, they can hold a glimpse of spring a get you through the distressing winter days that are here for another 2 months.

For my office and around the house, we visited Ms. Morgan's flower stand at the local Kroger, where you can find a great selection of bulbs. We also checked out the selection at other local nurseries and garden centers and came up with a great mix of green plants, and spring bulbs. Don't be afraid to try color and texture combinations when it comes to green house plant selection.
 

So, as we do in the South, start looking ahead to those vibrant spring colors, but until then find a little something to "tie ya over."

Don't forget to check and make sure your plants will have adequate drainage and to remember to water!