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...)

Bypassing the Roses

Southern women are hard to impress, especially when it comes to Valentine's Day. Any man in the life of a Snipes lady is up for a real challenge when it comes to Valentine's Day. All three of us have worked/still work in the wonderful world of flower arranging and have worldwide access to any flower we could want at a wholesale price... When flowers do actually arrive at one of our doorsteps the instinctive question is to immediately ask "Who did these?" and "How much did you pay?" We're not trying to be tacky here, we're just in the business and need to know our competition. 

 very cute, but not gonna cut it for us...

Sound familiar? Coming up with a great Valentines arrangement is pretty much a wasted effort for a gardening or flower enthusiast, so why not bypass the roses with a great gardening book this year? Not to sound like a hallmark card here, but this holiday is a great way celebrate their love of plants with a great little something for the bookshelf; something that will last for years to come.

I utilize my own gardening library everyday of the week. My most beloved garden/plant reference book was given to me as a graduation gift from dear family friends, and I love opening it to their note on the inside cover. There is something about the warm, cozy emotion that arises when you find a note inside the dust cover. Some of my all time favorite cookbooks are vintage ones passed down for generations that have others names inside and handwritten notes on the recipes inside. So what better way to pass along the warm fuzzies to someone than through a great gardening book? The Pegs and I have come up with our list, and would love any more suggestions that you may have.

Here are some of my suggestions that have been give to me throughout the years: 

First up, this is a new release on the book store shelves is from a Mississippi author who actually taught with my mom in Starkville before I arrived on the scene, Laurie Parker. Laurie has written a number of books, but the new Garden Alphabet really takes the cake. You may know her other works such as, Everywhere in Mississippi, A is for Angels, All Over Alabama, and the Louisiana Alphabet.  The Garden Alphabet is great for all ages, not only does it take you through plant names and gardening terms, but provides beautiful collages for "I Spy" opportunities.

 

The Southern Living Gardening Book, or my personal gardening bible resides right beside me at all hours of the day. It has been around for years in multiple editions, but a definite must for a garden reference.

Jack enjoyed the corner of this book as a puppy...

Beatrix Farrand Private Gardens, Public Spaces is the newest addition to the collection. It documents the works of Beatrix Farrand who was one of the first great lady Landscape Architects. For those of you in the DC area, she designed Dumbarton Oaks. With stunning photographs, garden layouts, and great historical tidbits, this book is a true source of inspiration for any landscape designer or gardener.

The Mid South Garden Guide, as it says is the Essential Reference tool for any gardener at any stage in his/her career. It covers everything from lawn care to nomenclature to plant selection guidelines.

Rain Gardening in the South,  was given to me by my graduate professor, Anne Spafford, who is one the authors. If you have a blossoming conservationist in your life, this is the book. It is an exceptional guide to establishing a rain garden in your own yard, as well as an excellent planting design reference.  (more to come on rain gardens later...)

Check your local bookstores for availability. Don't have a book lover you're trying to impress? Think outside the heart shaped box with a wrapped up package of spring bulbs to plant outside and every year when they pop up, your "hunny" will remember them as her most favorite Valentine's gift. So whether it's a lovely and lasting book with a note in the cover or some spring bulbs to pop up every spring, bypass those roses with a lasting gift this Valentine's Day.

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!