What Do Spider Lilies Look Like?
Spider lilies make a colorful, interesting addition to gardens, weddings and home decor. Large spider lily blossoms have a distinct appearance--long, curved petals and an even longer fringe of multiple stamens. Spider lilies grow in a variety of colors, each with the slender stamen protrusions that give the plant its name. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Flowers
-
The flowers of spider lily plants are the most identifiable feature. The blossoms grow long, thin, curling petals that give the plant its arachnid-oriented name. Spider lilies bloom in fall. Golden spider lilies grow bright yellow flowers with thin, delicate petals that gently curl. The long, thin stamens of the plant extend outward from the center like small lines, adding to the unique look of the flower blossoms. Red spider lilies blossom bright red, eye-catching blooms. Spider lily flowers grow quickly, each flower growing singularly atop a long stem. The blooms are somewhat trumpet-shaped like amaryllis flowers. Spider lilies are also known as hurricane lilies and naked ladies.
Foliage
-
Spider lily leaves, which appear after the flowers bloom, are smooth to the touch. The leaves grow along the long stems of the plant, which reach 12 to 18 inches in height. The leaves themselves grow 4 to 8 inches in length. When spider lily flowers first bloom in fall, the stems are smooth and leafless. The long leaves of the plant won't appear until after the blooms have withered.
-
Cultivating
-
Grow spider lily plants in full to partial sun. The flowers have an exotic look, but spider lilies are very hardy. High drought-, disease- and insect-resistance make the plant a hard-wearing garden addition. Spider lilies are grown from bulbs, which may be planted in garden soil or containers at the gardener's discretion.
Origins
-
Despite the name, spider lilies are not in the lily family. Rather, the plants are in the amaryllis family, and the blossoms do resemble their garden cousins much more than they do lilies. Spider lilies are native to China and Japan, but they have been cultivated in the United States long enough for the plants to become naturalized throughout the southeastern part of the country.
Features
-
Durable spider lilies survive well when cut, making them a popular garden bloom choice. The bright flowers also attract hummingbirds and butterflies, which adds another element of interest and visual appeal to any garden.
-
