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Calochortus coeruleus

 
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Family: Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus: Calochortus (kal-uh-KOR-tus) (Info)
Species: coeruleus (ko-er-OO-lee-us) (Info)

Synonym:Cyclobothra coerulea
Synonym:Calochortus maweanus
Synonym:Calochortus caerulens
Synonym:Calochortus coeruleus var. coeruleus

Category:
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Bulbs
Perennials

Height:
under 6 in. (15 cm)

Spacing:
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade

Danger:
N/A

Bloom Color:
Violet/Lavender
White/Near White

Bloom Time:
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer

Foliage:
Deciduous

Other details:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
This plant may be considered a protected species; check before digging or gathering seeds
Suitable for growing in containers

Soil pH requirements:
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information:
Unknown - Tell us

Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From bulbils

Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored

Click thumbnail
to view:

By Lophophora
Thumbnail #1 of Calochortus coeruleus by Lophophora

By Venustus
Thumbnail #2 of Calochortus coeruleus by Venustus

Profile:

No positives
1 neutral
No negatives

Gardeners' Notes:

RatingAuthorComment
Neutral Lophophora On Jun 22, 2004, Lophophora from Tokyo
Japan wrote:

Calochortus coeruleus var. coeruleus is another mountain bulb found only in California, from Lassen County south to Amador County in the Sierra Nevadas, at elevations between 1000 and 2200 meters, usually growing on west-facing wooded slopes in clay loam or gravel. It is one of the hardier members of the genus, and is reputed to dislike too much heat during its summer dormancy.

Sometimes confused with C. elegans and C. tolmiei, this plant has oblong anthers, and the petals are not papillose on the inner surface. All three species have petals more or less covered with white hairs, while C. coeruleus' become lavender towards the nectary.

There is one recognized varietas: C. coeruleus var. fimbriatus.

C. coeruleus belongs to Section I, Pulchelli, Subsection 2. Eleganti (Flowers broadly campanulate, held upright; petals densely bearded; capsules elliptic-oblong, three-winged, pendant; bulbs with membranous tunics.) (Callahan, "The Genus Calochortus" in "Bulbs of North America", Timber Press, 2001)

The single leaf is rather broad (for a Calochortus), hence the Common name.

One English grower states that the plant is very sensitive to over-watering in the winter.

I will add a rating and more culture info as I attempt to grow it.



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