Hymenocallis occidentalis (Northern Spider Lily)
Hymenocallis occidentalis (Northern Spider Lily) is a bulbous perennial boasting elegant and unusual-looking umbels of 5-10 sweetly fragrant flowers from early summer to early fall. The flowers open up to look like white spiders, each exquisite blossom featuring a central cup and 6 incredibly long, slender, petal-like tepals. They are borne atop leafless stalks that rise from a basal clump of arching, narrow, strap-shaped, glossy green leaves, 18 in. long (45 cm).
Hymenocallis occidentalis (Northern Spider Lily) is a bulbous perennial boasting elegant and unusual-looking umbels of 5-10 sweetly fragrant flowers from early summer to early fall. The flowers open up to look like white spiders, each exquisite blossom featuring a central cup and 6 incredibly long, slender, petal-like tepals. They are borne atop leafless stalks that rise from a basal clump of arching, narrow, strap-shaped, glossy green leaves, 18 in. long (45 cm). Native to the southeastern United States, Northern Spider Lily grows naturally in swamps and moist woods. Adding flare and fragrance to moist borders, bog gardens, water gardens, or along streams and ponds, Northern Spider Lily is the most cold-hardy of the Spider Lily species.
- Grows up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
- Performs best in full sun to part shade in consistently moist to wet soils. Soils must never be allowed to dry out.
- A good choice for bog gardens, rain gardens, near ponds and streams.
- Reliable, easy to grow, generally disease and pest free. Keep an eye out for snails, caterpillars, and mealy bugs.
- Plant bulbs 4 in. deep (10 cm) and 6-10 in. apart (15-25 cm).
- Remove foliage after it turns yellow.
- Can be grown from divisions or seed.
- Native to the southeastern United States.
Requirements
| Hardiness | 5 – 8 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
| Plant Family | Hymenocallis |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall |
| Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
| Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
| Spacing | 18″ (45cm) |
| Water Needs | Average, High |
| Maintenance | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Southwest, Texas |
| Tolerance | Wet Soil |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens |