Lycoris × squamigera (magic lily, "Natsuzuisen")

Japanese name: ナツズイセン （夏水仙）
Scientific name: Lycoris × squamigera

[Overview]
A perennial 50–70 cm tall.
It has a broadly ovate underground bulb 4–5 cm across.
The outer skin of the bulb is blackish brown.
The leaves are basal, rather broad and linear, 20–30 cm long and 1.8–2.5 cm wide.
The leaves appear in spring and die back in summer.
After the leaves have died back, the flower stalk rises.
The tip of the flower stalk bears several pale reddish purple flowers in an umbel-like cluster.
The flowers have 6 petals, are 6–8 cm long, and open obliquely.
The tips of the tepals are slightly recurved.
It does not set fruit.

[Uses]
It is a poisonous plant, but the bulb is used medicinally.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by dividing the bulbs.
It can be left planted for several years without problem.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil that retains moisture and is well aerated.
It dislikes excess moisture.
During leafless dormancy it does better in shade and on the dry side, so for plants in the ground it is good to plant them under deciduous trees or among summer grasses.
For potted plants, from the time the flower stalks emerge until before dormancy, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; during dormancy, water only enough to keep the soil from drying out completely.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
After flowering, apply a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium.
When the flowers are over, snap them off at the flower neck.
There are no particular pests or diseases, but soft rot may occur if the soil is too wet.

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