Red Spider Lilies

September is a month of transition. Our weather typically oscillates between cool and crisp and hot and humid. It also marks the beginning of the fall floral season. Few people realize the sheer number and diversity of plants that bloom in the fall. Here are just a few that come to mind: tea olive, Elaeagnus, cyclamen, goldenrod, aster, many varieties of salvia, sasanqua... the list goes on and on. With all these blossoms, fall is indeed our second spring!

Yet of all the amazing plants that are blooming now, I most look forward to the spider lilies. Or maybe you call them surprise lilies, naked ladies, or hurricane lilies? Whatever you call them, this bulb is like a special friend that visits only once a year. With its fiery red "spidery" flowers on 3 foot "naked" stalks, you are unlikely to confuse this plant with anything else. Yet many people fail to recognize its foliage. While the flowers pop out the ground in September, the leaves usually don't emerge until later, sometime in October. To me, the foliage can be best described as looking a bit like liriope, or monkey grass.

It can only be propagated through division, yet once planted, the clump quickly multiplies and in no time you will end up with hundreds of bulbs that will flower in 2 to 3 years. It is vital that you don't cut the foliage before it naturally yellows in spring. Even though the leaves may look untidy and "weedy", cutting them before spring will weaken them and reduce or eliminate next year's flowers.

Purchasing spider lilies can be a bit difficult unless you shop online. I'd urge you to find someone that is willing to share a few blubs, which shouldn't be that difficult in Monticello. However, because nurseries aren't offering it, and because of overzealous lawn mowers, this plant is increasingly rare in the landscape. If you are blessed with heirloom bulbs like this, please share them with all your gardening friends. Spider lilies are part of our cultural identity, just like fried okra and caramel cake! We need to preserve and celebrate all of our uniquely southern treasures.