Calochortus is a genus of North American lilies and includes about 70 herbaceous, perennial, and bulbous species. Within the genus are mariposas lilies with open, wedge-shaped petals; globe lilies with globe-shaped flowers, and star tulips with erect pointed petals. As a general rule, these plants prefer full sun in the morning with some protection from the hot, afternoon sun. They grow well in well-drained soil and are somewhat cold-hardy; however, they will be injured at temperatures below 28°F. Bulbs should be stored at 60 to 70 degrees F. and planted about 5 inches deep. They can be grown from seeds or bulbs, depending on the variety and are often difficult to cultivate. Typically, they produce one or more flowers on a stem that arises from the bulb, generally in the spring or early summer. Colors vary from pink, orange, yellow, white, purple and red. The inside of the flower is hairy. Use in a container, rock garden or in the border or in groups of a drought-tolerant pollinator garden. They will probably not do well in the southeast. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to root rot from overwatering, and common garden pests like aphids, snails, and slugs. Fungal diseases like mildew can also occur, especially in humid or coastal conditions.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Green leaves vary per species and can be basal or cauline and linear to lanceolate. They can be glabrous or glaucous.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower detail
Unlike most lilies, petals differ in size and color from their sepals. Flowers can be white, yellow, pink, purple, bluish, or streaked. The insides of the petals are often very 'hairy'. They can be upright or nodding.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
The capsules are ovate to oblong to linear, 3-sided or strongly winged.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Western North America, Mexico
Distribution
AZ, CA, NV, UT
Attracts
Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Edible bulbs.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container
Landscape theme
Rock Garden
Design feature
Border; Small groups
Garden tags
#summer bulbs #showy flowers #perennial bulbs #colorful #non-toxic for cats #non-toxic for horses #non-toxic for dogs #full sun tolerant #rock garden #drought tolerant garden #difficult to grow #groups #border #container