Magic Lilies Are the Fun, Colorful Pink Flowers You’ll Want to Plant This September

Magic Lilies Are the Fun, Colorful Rosy Pink Flowers You’ll Want to Plant This September

This is the time of year they thrive.

By Elizabeth GulinoPublished: Aug 12, 2019

rianiq07 Lycoris Squamigera Bulb

Credit: Etsy

It may be the middle of August (where did the time go?!) but that doesn't mean your gardening season has to be over. For those of you itching to get your hands dirty again before the cold season of winter comes, we've got the perfect solution for you: Magic Lillies.

This particular type of lily, scientifically known as Lycoris squamigera, has also been known as the Surprise Lily or the Resurrection Lily, mainly due to the fact that they unexpectedly sprout their pink trumpet-like flowers in a surprise showing during the late summer and early fall months. The rosy pink flowers bloom right on top of their leafless stems long after the leaves on the plant have withered and dried away, making the plant seemingly come back to life at the end of the summer.

According to White Flower Farm, these kinds of lilies take a season to actually settle in and bloom once you plant the bulbs—but as soon as they're all set, Magic Lillies are durable, long-lived, and resistant to rodents and deer. They'll also help attract an abundance of hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard.

For best results, you'll want to plant Magic Lilies in full sun to partial shade, in organically rich well-drained soil with medium moisture. Aim to plant the flowers in the late summer to early fall: the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says August, while Plant Care Today advises that planting Magic Lily bulbs in September or October is ideal.