Lycoris

The Lycoris squamigera shocks me every summer. It appears seemingly out of nowhere: all of a sudden, there are these amazing stalks with reddish/mauve buds! I even think it springs up in different spots in my garden each year. Its nickname is an apt one: Surprise Lily.
A loyal reader adds:
"Another nickname for Lycoris is, I believe, Naked Lady, because of the lack of foliage and probably the pink hue. Story about that: a friend once phoned someone with whom she'd been discussing these flowers and burst out as soon as the phone was picked up: `I've just found several more Naked Ladies in my garden!' A silence, then:  `Lady, I think you have the wrong number.' "