Family: Liliaceae
Common Name: Mariposa Lily, Globe Tulip, Star Tulip

Native to western North America and Mexico, these bulbous herbs produce exquisite flowers, usually in yellow, white or mauve, often with intriguingly patterned petals. They bloom in spring and summer, either singly or in clusters.

Species

C. amabilis, golden globe tulip, has golden yellow, pendulous flowers. It grows to 45 cm (18 in).

C. luteus produces yellow to orange flowers, streaked with red or brown, and grows to 60 cm (24 in).

C. macrocarpus, green-banded mariposa lily, has lavender flowers, with a green band down the middle of the petals. It grows to 60 cm (24 in).

C. nitidus grows to 50 cm (20 in). It has white, lilac or purple flowers, flawlessly marked on each petal with a deep purple spot.

C. uniflorus has much longer, lilac flowers, with crimson veins. It grows to 25 cm (10 in).

C. venustus, white mariposa lily, grows to 25 cm (10 in), with pale lilac flowers, spotted reddish brown. Varieties of C. venustus sometimes grow taller than the species and have creamy yellow, crimson or white flowers, with purple or rose-coloured markings.

Cultivation

Plant bulbs in autumn to a depth of 10-15 cm (4-6 in) in very well drained soil and full sun. In wet climates, Calochortus are best grown in pots of soil-based potting compost in an unheated greenhouse as they dislike extremely wet conditions. The bulbs should be kept dry once the leaves have died down. Propagation is from seed, offsets or from bulbils produced in the leaf axils of some species.

Climate

Best in dry climates; zone 9.