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A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

There are nekkid ladies in my garden!


No, there is no debauchery or ribald action going on in the garden, it is just the Lycoris squamigera blooming. I don't know all the scientific names of plants but this one is one of my favorites because I love the way it rolls off your tongue. As much as I like to say it though, the common name, "Naked Ladies," is much more fun and amusing. Actually, this plant has a host of common names - Surprise Lily, Resurrection Lily, Magic Lily, Mystery Lily and the list goes on. Elizabeth Lawrence refers to them as "Hall's Amaryllis," a name which I never hear today. I've always heard them called "Naked Ladies" because the flowers appear on tall stalks with no foliage underneath.



It would be interesting to see time-lapse photography of this plant blooming because they suddenly appear seemingly out of nowhere in late July and early August. The blooms last for several weeks and if you want to transplant them, it is wise to mark the area because after the blooms go, the plant does a disappearing act until long strap-like leaves appear in late fall and last until early summer when they too go dormant. There is no action after that until the violet tinged pink flowers make a "surprise" appearance in late summer.

A favorite of florists, these cold hardy bulbs (to zone 5) are very easy to grow in any average, well-drained soil. I've seen them thrive in very poor soils. They should be planted in the fall at 5-6 inches deep and mulched during the winter. Full sun or partial shade is fine. They spread rapidly and are easily dug and transplanted or shared with friends.

Don't confuse Lycoris squamigera with Lycoris radiata (aka Hurricane Lily or Spider Lily) which appear in the fall and have bright red flowers. But that is another post for a later date.

For an amusing story about Naked Ladies, visit Jeff's blog at Transitional Gardener and read about his childhood memory of this plant.

Comments

  1. Very pretty. I don't have these, but I do have some of the red spider lilies, which aren't up yet.

    I'll be posting a different sort of naked lady picture on my blog later tonight.

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  2. These are great. I even really like the foliage in the spring, though I always seem to confuse it with the daffys. My spider lilies aren't up either, I hope they show this year but I have not had much luck with them like with the nekkid ladies.

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  3. Hey Phillip...isn't this pretty risque talk for a librarian! I adore these ladies! They always surprise me! seriously, I forget where they are planted and as you say...there they are! I have the spider lilies, too! Can't wait to see your post on them! ...your photo of the ladies is great!

    Gail

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  4. I just came off the beaches of SC and saw a lot of thinly clad naked ladies who seemed to sprout upward on thin supports too. I think it was too much southern food in their case. I did not bring it home on pictures. I do love your Naked Ladies much better---no offensive areas to cover.

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  5. What wonderful pictures, Phillip! I can't wait for my mine to bloom although I don't expect it this year. I also enjoyed Jeff's story, thanks for the link!

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  6. I loved this post! Beautiful photos-as always!

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  7. Very pretty. I don't have any nakkid ladies so I'll admire them in your photos.

    I enjoyed the previous blog about Helen Keller's home. When I visited in the early 80's it look different--not as well maintained.
    Marnie

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  8. Lycoris is one of those plants that continue to come up aroun old home places, long after the house is gone. Thanks for the photos.

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  9. Is this the lily that some refer to as the Wonder Lily? I had one in my yard that just popped up from out of no where! It was so pretty then the voles or squirrels ate the bulb! argggg I guess if it were a squirrel, he may have been the one to plant it for me in the first place so I reckon his to claim... lol

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  10. I really like this plants, I just wish I could get mine to bloom. Have you noticed that they're fragrant as well as beautiful?

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  11. Hi Phillip,
    great info. here on this.
    I have seen these in old gardens. North of Fort Bragg on the windswept N. California coast there are old abandoned ranch houses from the 19th century and you will see these blooming in the old gardens,now wild. They must require no care at all! gophers do not seem to like them either.
    Beautiful image.
    Regards,
    Philip

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