Native to China, Southeast Asia, Korea, and Japan, the Lycoris genus encompasses 25 species of bulbs in the amaryllis family, all sharing a theatrical growth habit: foliage appears in one season and vanishes entirely before the flowers erupt on bare stems in another. Along the Carolina coast they bloom during hurricane season, earning the name hurricane lilies. Their genus honors Lycoris, the Roman actress and mistress of Mark Antony — a fitting namesake for a plant with such a flair for dramatic appearances.

Naked lilies are more durable than their dramatic nature suggests. They tolerate full sun but perform better in part sun with afternoon shade, and they can endure serious drought while flourishing with regular water during their active periods. Soil should run dry through the summer dormant period. Bulb offshoots spread colonies naturally over time, and the plants are happiest when left undisturbed; they may not bloom at all in the first year after planting or division. The toxic alkaloid lycorine deters deer and rabbits, and the flowers make good cut stems.