The surprise lily, Lycoris squamigera, is a perennial bulb with a distinct growth habit. It earned its common name because its flowers appear unexpectedly, seemingly from bare ground, at a different time of year than its foliage. This plant offers a seasonal display, with its leaves and blooms appearing at separate intervals. Understanding its annual life cycle reveals its adaptations.
Spring Foliage Growth
In early spring, the surprise lily produces a flush of foliage. These strap-like leaves, often grayish-green, emerge in clumps, resembling large daffodil leaves. This period is important for the plant. The leaves act as solar panels, capturing sunlight for photosynthesis to generate energy, which then converts into starches and sugars transported to the underground bulb for storage. This accumulation of reserves during spring supports its floral display later in the year.
Summer Foliage Disappearance
As late spring transitions into summer, the surprise lily’s foliage yellows and dies back. This disappearance of the leaves is a normal and necessary part of the plant’s life cycle, indicating it is entering a period of summer dormancy. Rather than being a sign of distress, this dieback is an adaptation, beneficial in climates with moist springs followed by hot, dry summers. During this time, the plant rests underground, relying on the energy reserves it gathered during its spring growth phase.
Autumn Flower Emergence
The surprise lily’s flowers emerge in late summer to early autumn when leafless flower stalks, also known as scapes, emerge from the bare ground. These sturdy stalks quickly grow to heights of 18-36 inches. Each stalk is topped with a cluster of four to twelve trumpet-shaped, pink, lily-like flowers, which are fragrant and tinged with lilac. This appearance on barren soil is the plant’s reproductive phase.
Post-Bloom Development
After the autumn bloom, the surprise lily continues its development, focusing on underground activities. While the flowers are sterile and do not produce viable seeds, the plant multiplies through its bulbs. The main bulb continues to grow, and offsets or “daughter bulbs” form around it. This multiplication expands its presence in the garden, storing energy in these new and existing bulbs for the next year’s growth cycle.
Winter Rest and Renewal
With the onset of winter, the surprise lily enters complete dormancy, resting underground. During this period, the bulb consolidates the energy reserves it accumulated throughout the spring and post-bloom phases. This cold resting period is a requirement for the plant, as it needs some winter chill to set blooms for the following season. The bulb remains dormant, protected by the soil, awaiting warmer temperatures to signal a new annual cycle in spring.