Is a "Naked Lady" a lily? No, the versatile spider lily, sometimes referred to as naked lady or mystery lily, is not a true lily; rather it belongs to the Lycoris genus, part of the Amaryllis family. Their large, striking blooms have curled petals and stamens that give them their spidery appearance. They do not bloom in the manner that other flowers do. A clump of foliage appears and lives through the winter, then disappears in the spring. In late summer or early fall, after you have forgotten where the bulbs are planted, the blooms appear, seemingly magically and overnight, on stalk-like stems with no foliage, standing like pink and coral "naked ladies."
In order to establish them in outdoor plantings, do not disturb bulbs for several years. Pass this advice to friends when sharing the bulbs so they won't think the bulbs have disappeared. The fact that it takes so long for them to appear may be why spider lilies are also called mystery lilies. Sometimes they are also called jump-up lilies, but they are not the same as Magic Lilies (I. squamigera).
Because spider lilies are not fussy about sun or shade, they can be used anywhere you would like some late-summer color. However, they bloom best with at least four hours of full sun daily. Because they tolerate dry soil and partial shade, they add vibrant color if planted at the edges of woodlands, directly in the lawn, or tucked into ground covers. In the fall, dig and divide and transplant. These lilies give you your money's worth.
Note: These bulbs will probably be available at the Master Gardeners' Fall Bulb Sale, September 14, at the Rose Garden.
Patricia Walker, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
Annual & Perennial Flowers Index
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