Saturday, July 25, 2009

Old Fashioned Surprise Lilies

Old Fashioned Surprise Lilies look like large leaf daffodils in early spring, but then they don't bloom. The greenery dies down and you kind of forget about them.
Then late summer they just shoot up these stems with such pretty blooms. No greenery at all. It is easy to forget about them, so if you are lucky enough to get any of these be sure and plant them in a flowerbed, or you might mow down the stem when it starts out of the ground.
They are just a little early this year. August is when I remember them blooming before.

I haven't been home much at all this past week. I did spend the night here on Thursday after getting off work at midnight. But then I was up early Friday to go keep Noah.
Then I went onto Rockwood from there (didn't have to work Friday evening),
to spend the night in Rockwood.

When Jimmy and pulled in the driveway today it seemed like
the surprise lilies were in every flowerbed.

This last one is the fullest, because it has been in the same place longer. These lilies don't like to be moved around much, and usually don't bloom the first year even though they do send up the greenery that year. Notice the 3 stems on this last one. The spotted leaves you see are Calla Lilies in the background. (Just in case there are inquiring minds.)

I got mine from John and Lindsey's first yard. I did share them at that time and have several friends that also get to enjoy these each year.
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20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just this past week, I saw some of these in an older residential area of our little town. They were pink also. If I remember correctly, when I lived in AL, an older neighbor shared some with me that were red. Love your pictures; that pink is so pretty.

Mary said...

I just noticed yesterday that they were popping up here. Every year, I swear that I'm going to move mine....they are practically in the woods....and then lose where they are and forget. Maybe if I go out and mark them now while they are blooming, I'll remember this year! They always look so "naked" without leaves, but their color is pretty.

I Am Woody said...

Beautiful! I've always heard them called "Naked Ladies":)

Dorothy said...

I just love these 'Naked Ladies'! I set dug some of these bulbs from an old house place and set them out in the spring. I wonder if they will bloom this year. Probably not, but I'll watch for them. They are so beautiful.

FAB said...

Fabulous blooms Leedra. I've never heard the term 'Surprise Lilies' but after a quick search I see these are Lycoris - Amarylis family.
Over here "Naked Ladies" refers to autumn flowering Colchicums which flower before the leaves appear & look simo=ilar to Crocus.

Leedra said...

Early Birder - I had never heard these referred to as "Naked Ladies" as several have stated here they have. The stem does look a lot like an amarylis stem so I can see it being in that family. There also the red type of surprise lilies, but I have not been lucky enough to receive a start of those.

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Leedra, beautiful photographs, and their color is one of my favorites. Just lovely!

George said...

We've never had any surprise lilies, but after seeing your pictures of the beautiful blossoms we may have to rectify that omission.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow Leedra, I've never even heard of Surprise Lilies. They are gorgeous.. George and I need to check them out!!!!

Thanks!!!!

Have a great weekend.
Love you my Friend,
Betsy

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

These Lilies are lovely.I had never heard of such a plant.
Blessings,Ruth

Darla said...

I never heard of these...very pretty Leedra.

Willard said...

Extremely beautiful flowers and super photographs!

Rose said...

Mine have shot up, also, but of course they have not bloomed yet. But it won't be long until a bloom or two are open.

Shelley said...

I've always liked the combo of purple and yellow in a flower! Your place must be a flower garden! I hope you post some wide angle shots in the future - I would love to see it!

Teresa62 said...

Mine are blooming too! I have 2 stalks of them this year.

Unknown said...

These look very delicate! Love the soft color!

Tina said...

These lilies are so delicate looking compared to mine. I just love the way the petals hang and the color just adds to their delicacy!!

Unknown said...

Just this past weekend I was wandering what these lilies were called. I knew I had to get them from somewhere and I should have known where they came from, because you are the only one I get flowers from. They are beautiful.

Carletta said...

A lovely shade of color!
Wonderful macros of the stamens.

Mary C said...

Our Naked Ladies are also just starting to bloom. It is so funny, as you had described them, that they have such lovely green leaves in early spring and then die away. And how funny that by the time we have forgotten about them, then the stalk appears and eventually blooms. The ones I have are also pink. I posted last year's blooms on my blog sometime last summer. I'll have to be sure I take more photos this year, and hopefully post them.

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