Saturday morning Calochortus

During a short trip to SE BC this summer I have had the chance to admire my first ever mariposa lily – Calochortus apiculatus, Baker’s mariposa lily – shown here in the featured image. Of course, I’ve seen many pictures of various species, but it’s never the same like experiencing them in the wild.

Next minute, a little voice was screaming in my head – I want to grow a mariposa! Not all Calochortus species are actually named mariposa lilies, but that’s how I call them.
I indulged, and together with a few other Western North American species I brought in, for my little voice and for the shop, 2 Calochortus species.

Not having pictures with the flowers I will introduce them through their seeds.
Calochorthus leichtlinii – the Smokey mariposa, which is found growing at high elevations in Oregon, California and Nevada, would be the one to try in zone 6. It has white to pale blue flowers with yellow/black centers.
With good luck and stellar drainage it may do well. The seeds were collected on Eisenheimer Ridge, Plumas Co. at 2135 m alt.

Calochortus leichtlinii seeds

The very cute Calochortus tolmiei (Tolmie star-tulip, pussy ears) would be best left for those living in a warmer climate, or grown in a pot in the alpine house. The flowers are light purple/lavender and are very hairy – you could grow it as a pet :)
I will test  the germination and who knows, maybe even end up with few plants to grow in a container.

Calochortus tolmiei seeds

For lots of mesmerizing pictures (wild, culture) and growing advice for various Calochortus species, please visit the PBS page: https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Calochortus

Find the seeds on the Seeds list.