Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
9/2/02
Contacts:
Cindy Haynes, Horticulture, (515) 294-4006, chaynes@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Yard and Garden Column for the Week Beginning Sept. 6, 2002
Naked Ladies in the Garden
By Cindy Haynes
Extension Horticulturist
Iowa State University
Everyone wants to have something eye-catching in his or her garden. By adding a few unusual plants or bulbs to the garden, you can accomplish this task without the risk of arrest. Bulbs are inexpensive and easy to grow. September is a great time to consider what bulbs you want to purchase, plant and see blooming in the garden next year. If your looking to raise eyebrows then forget about tulips and daffodils - everyone has those. Instead, consider crown imperial, quamash and yes, naked ladies.
Naked lady is one common name for Lycoris squamigera, a late-summer flowering bulb. Other common names include magic lily, surprise lily and resurrection lily. These names are appropriate because the bulb foliage emerges in spring, dies by early summer, and then several weeks later, when you think the plant is dead, the flower stalks burst from the ground and are soon topped with pale pink flowers. These wonderful bulbs surprise even the most ardent gardeners with their magical blossoms resurrected on leafless or naked stalks in August. You may have seen a few naked ladies blooming in your neighborhood a couple of weeks ago. They are one of the latest bulbs to bloom every year. They are also one of the most reliable bloomers in Iowa.
Naked ladies thrive in full sun to part shade with well-drained soils, but are tolerant of varying light and soil conditions. They reach 3 feet tall and are often planted in the middle of garden beds to cover their bare stems with the foliage of other plants. Plant them with early blooming daylilies. You will be hard-pressed to tell the difference in the foliage in spring and nicely impressed with the pink flowers atop the daylily foliage in summer, long after the daylily is finished blooming. Bulbs are hardy throughout Iowa and should be planted 6 to 8 inches deep in the fall.
Another bulb with an unusual common name is quamash or camass (Camassia leichtlinii). This bulb is native to North America and blooms when the tulips are fading in spring. As many as 40 star-shaped blue or white flowers are arranged on each 3 foot flower spike. Flower spikes last for several weeks and complement the grass-like foliage.
Quamash bulbs thrive in sites with partial shade and moist soils. This bulb is so durable it will even tolerate heavier, clay soils. The foliage yellows relatively quickly after blooming, leaving bare or open areas by late summer. Plant cardinal flowers, toad lilies or other late-blooming perennials nearby to occupy the spot vacated by quamash. Plants are hardy to zone 4 and typically overwinter well in Iowa. Quamash bulbs are planted 6 to 8 inches deep (6 inches in clay) in the fall.
Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) is another striking and unusual bulb on this list. The size and flower color of fritillarias vary greatly among the species available and are becoming more popular with gardeners. Crown imperial is the largest of the fritillarias and often considered the most unusual and impressive in the garden. Plants reach 2 to 4 feet in height and bloom in spring. A ring of bright orange, yellow or red nodding flowers is topped with a tuft of small leaves. This "crown" of foliage is reminiscent of a pineapple and a striking contrast to the flowers.
Another unique feature of this large bulb is its distinctive "skunky" aroma. Take a quick whiff of the bulb at a garden center and you will not easily forget it. But don not scratch this one off your list of purchases because the unpleasant fragrance also makes it resistant to attack by deer or rodents. This fact alone should make it a must for many Iowa gardens.
Crown imperial prefers full sun to light shade with well-drained soils. They are hardy to zone 3 and should be planted 6 to 8 inches deep. Flowers should be removed after they fade, but the foliage below the flowers should be left until it yellows. As with any bulb, the leaves supply the bulb with necessary reserves for the production of flowers the upcoming year. Premature removal of the leaves often leads to poor flowering the following year and eventually death of the bulb.
So, when you are shopping for bulbs this fall, remember to pick up a few bulbs of naked ladies, quamash and crown imperial. Just a few of these bulbs strategically planted will attract almost as much attention as a real naked lady in the garden.
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