Hurricane Lilies
They’re bizarre-looking and called by many nicknames—spider lilies, naked ladies, surprise lilies and hurricane lilies. The red flower clusters of Lycoris radiata sit atop stick-straight leafless stems, and seem to pop up in lawns and gardens out of nowhere in September and October. The flower clusters produce long stamens that give the appearance of an upside-down spider. Narrow, straplike leaves,
similar to liriope, appear after the blooms are spent and persist until spring, which is the best time to divide the bulbs. To ensure next fall’s blooms, do not cut the foliage back until it withers; it helps the bulbs store food for flowering. Mark the location so you can find the plants in spring. Divide and replant bulbs shallowly in full sun to part shade. Hurricane lilies reach 12–18 inches in height.