Spider Lily
Spider Lily
By Kakidai - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43639466
Hymenocallis
Size: 2' to 3' tall and wide
Lighting requirements: Part sun
Seasonal interest: Summer blooms
Winter: Dies back to the ground
Scientific Name: Hymenocallis spp.
Common Names: Spider Lily, Surprise Lily
Native to: Native to the Americas, primarily found in the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central America
Lighting Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade (they'll grow in shade, but not bloom well)
Height: 1-3 feet
Width: 1-3 feet
Winter Look: Dies back
Seasonal Interest: Late summer to fall (fragrant white, spider-like flowers)
Drought Tolerance: Moderate; prefers moist soil but can tolerate dry spells once established
Soil Requirements: Well-drained; prefers moist, sandy, or loamy soil (my neighbor's do extremely well in our clay soil)
pH Range: 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 7-10
Deer Resistance: Moderate; occasionally browsed by deer
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies
Toxicity: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested (contains alkaloids)
Notes: Known for its distinctive, fragrant, and showy white flowers resembling spider legs. Best grown in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil and often planted near water features or in woodland gardens. Spider lilies are great additions to a somewhat tropical-looking landscape too. Though they're said to be water lovers, I know of a few people with them who hardly pick up a hose and are just fine.
These are plants shared among gardeners and not often seen in local nurseries. Let me know if you need one and cannot find one, because I can share!
I've never seen the red one available in my area, but will snatch them up and give them a shot if I do!