Surprise Lily Companion Plants: How to Choose the Perfect Companions for Your Surprise Lilies

Oleh Anonymous December 08, 2022 Post a Comment

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If you're a gardener, you've probably heard of surprise lilies (Lycoris squamigera). These beautiful plants bloom in late summer or early fall with pink, trumpet-shaped flowers that emerge from the ground without any foliage. While they are stunning on their own, they look even more impressive when planted alongside other complementary plants. In this article, we'll explore some of the best companion plants for surprise lilies.

Choosing the Right Companion Plants

When choosing companion plants for your surprise lilies, it's important to consider a few factors. First, you'll want to think about the overall aesthetic you're going for. Do you want to create a dramatic and bold display, or do you prefer a more subtle and understated look? You'll also want to think about the growing conditions in your garden, such as soil type, sun exposure, and moisture levels. Finally, you should consider the growing habits of your surprise lilies. Do they grow tall and upright, or do they spread out in a more sprawling manner?

Companion Plant Ideas

Here are some ideas for companion plants that pair well with surprise lilies:

1. Hostas

Hostas are a classic choice for pairing with surprise lilies. Their large, lush leaves provide a nice contrast to the delicate flowers of the lilies. Plus, hostas come in a range of colors, from deep green to variegated shades of white and yellow.

How to Plant:

Plant hostas around the base of your surprise lilies, making sure to give them enough space to grow. Hostas prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial shade.

2. Black-Eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are another great choice for companion planting. These cheerful yellow flowers bloom in late summer and fall, which makes them a nice complement to the pink surprise lilies.

How to Plant:

Plant black-eyed Susans in groups around your surprise lilies for maximum impact. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

3. Sedum

Sedum is a low-maintenance succulent that looks great with surprise lilies. Its small, round leaves come in shades of green and red, and it produces clusters of tiny pink or white flowers in late summer.

How to Plant:

Plant sedum around the edges of your surprise lily bed, making sure to give it plenty of room to spread out. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun.

4. Japanese Forest Grass

Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) is a graceful ornamental grass that pairs well with surprise lilies. Its delicate, arching blades come in shades of green, gold, and variegated colors.

How to Plant:

Plant Japanese forest grass in clumps throughout your surprise lily bed. It prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.

5. Coneflowers

Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) are a hardy perennial that blooms from mid-summer into fall. Their pink, daisy-like flowers look great with surprise lilies, and they attract butterflies and other pollinators to your garden.

How to Plant:

Plant coneflowers in groups around your surprise lilies. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

6. Catmint

Catmint (Nepeta) is a low-maintenance perennial that produces spikes of lavender-blue flowers in early summer. Its fragrant foliage looks great with the trumpet-shaped flowers of surprise lilies.

How to Plant:

Plant catmint around the edges of your surprise lily bed, making sure to give it plenty of room to grow. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

7. Daylilies

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are known for their bright, showy flowers, which come in a range of colors from yellow to orange to red. They bloom in mid-summer, which makes them a nice complement to the late-season blooms of surprise lilies.

How to Plant:

Plant daylilies in groups around your surprise lilies, making sure to give them enough space to grow. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

8. Russian Sage

Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a tall, airy perennial with silvery-gray leaves and spikes of purple-blue flowers. It looks great with surprise lilies and adds some height to your garden.

How to Plant:

Plant Russian sage behind your surprise lilies, making sure to give it plenty of room to grow. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

9. Salvia

Salvia (Salvia nemorosa) is a hardy perennial that produces spikes of blue or purple flowers in early summer. Its upright habit looks great with the more sprawling growth of surprise lilies.

How to Plant:

Plant salvia in groups around your surprise lilies. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

10. Ornamental Onion

Ornamental onion (Allium) is a striking plant that produces large globes of purple or white flowers on tall stems. Its bold texture looks great with the delicate blooms of surprise lilies.

How to Plant:

Plant ornamental onion behind your surprise lilies to add some height to your garden. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

When it comes to companion planting with surprise lilies, the possibilities are endless. By considering factors such as growing conditions, aesthetic preferences, and growing habits, you can create a stunning display that highlights the beauty of these unique plants.

FAQs

1. How do I care for surprise lilies?

Surprise lilies prefer well-drained soil and partial shade. They don't require much water once established, and they go dormant after blooming. Be sure to leave the foliage in place after blooming so that the bulbs can store energy for next year's growth.

2. Can I plant surprise lilies in containers?

Yes! Surprise lilies grow well in containers as long as they have enough room for their roots to spread out. Use a well-draining potting mix and water sparingly.

3. Do surprise lilies attract pollinators?

Surprise lilies are not known for attracting pollinators, but many of the companion plants listed above do. Adding these plants to your surprise lily bed can help support local ecosystems.

4. How do I propagate surprise lilies?

Surprise lilies can be propagated by dividing the bulbs in the fall. Dig up the bulbs and separate them into smaller clumps, then replant them at the same depth as before.

5. Are surprise lilies toxic to pets?

Yes, surprise lilies are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Keep them out of reach of pets to avoid any health issues.
Great! Let's get ed then.

Surprise lilies, also known as resurrection lilies or naked ladies, are beautiful pink or white flowers that bloom in late summer or early fall. They're called surprise lilies because they emerge from the ground without any foliage, which can be a surprising sight for many gardeners.

If you're looking to plant surprise lilies in your garden, you may be wondering what companion plants work well with them. Here are some ideas:

Ornamental grasses - Surprise lilies look great when planted alongside ornamental grasses such as fountain grass or switchgrass. The texture and movement of the grasses add interest to the planting, while the surprise lilies provide a pop of color.
Sedum - Sedum is a low-growing succulent that makes a great ground cover. It pairs well with surprise lilies because it's drought-tolerant and has interesting foliage that complements the lilies' blooms.
Russian sage - Russian sage is a tall, airy perennial that produces purple-blue flowers. When planted with surprise lilies, it creates a lovely contrast between the two colors.
Coneflowers - Coneflowers are hardy perennials that produce showy flowers in shades of pink, orange, and yellow. They're a great choice for companion plants because they attract pollinators and provide a long season of interest.
Daylilies - Daylilies are another hardy perennial that come in a variety of colors. They bloom at different times than surprise lilies, so planting them together ensures a longer season of color in your garden.

Overall, surprise lilies pair well with a variety of plants, and there's no one "right" answer when it comes to companion planting. Experiment with different combinations to see what works best in your garden. Happy planting! Sure, how can I assist you today?