Calochortus albus
white globe lily
California Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills
Overview
Calochortus albus is a perennial bulb in the lily family, producing arching, branched stems 8-32 inches (20-80 cm) tall that carry pendant, globe-shaped flowers. Each nodding flower is roughly 0.75-1.25 inches (2-3 cm) long, formed by three incurved white petals that overlap into a closed lantern shape, occasionally flushed rose-pink. The basal leaf is linear and grayish-green, 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) long, withering as the flowers open. Flowering occurs in mid to late spring, after which the plant dies back to its underground bulb and remains dormant through the dry summer. It grows on shaded slopes, in oak woodland, and along the edges of chaparral, often in rocky or well-drained loam. The hanging white flowers give rise to the common names white globe lily and fairy lantern. Plants spread slowly by offset bulbs and by seed, forming loose colonies over time. Summer dormancy means the foliage and stems disappear entirely by midsummer, leaving bare ground until the following winter growth. Bulbs are sensitive to summer irrigation and rot in soils that stay wet during dormancy.
Native Range
Native to California, where it grows in the Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, and Transverse Ranges from sea level to about 5,000 feet (1,500 m).Suggested Uses
Used in woodland gardens, shaded native plant borders, and rock gardens with summer-dry conditions. Suited to naturalistic plantings beneath oaks and deciduous shrubs. Grown in containers where the summer dry rest can be controlled.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'8"
Width/Spread4" - 8"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Colors
Foliage Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers from April to June, depending on elevation and latitude. Several pendant flowers open along the branched upper stem over two to four weeks. Bloom is followed by summer dormancy.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white, sometimes rose-tingedFoliage Description
grayish-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows from a bulb planted in autumn in shaded, free-draining soil. Part to full shade and cool, moist winter conditions suit it, while the bulb needs a dry rest once foliage yellows in early summer. Summer irrigation during dormancy promotes bulb rot, so it is kept dry from midsummer onward. No fertilizer is needed in its native woodland soils. Plants establish slowly and may take two to three years to flower from seed. A mulch of leaf litter mimics its natural woodland setting.Pruning
No pruning is required. Faded flower stems and foliage can be left to die down naturally, which returns energy to the bulb. Dried stems can be removed only after they have fully withered.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons