Calochortus gunnisonii
Gunnison's Mariposa Lily
Rocky Mountains of western North America
Overview
Calochortus gunnisonii is a perennial wildflower growing from a small underground bulb, sending up a slender, erect stem 8-18 inches (20-45 cm) tall and about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) wide. A few narrow, grass-like leaves clasp the lower stem and often wither by flowering. In summer each stem carries one to several upward-facing, cup-shaped flowers about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across, with three broad white to lavender petals marked inside by a transverse band of purple above a yellow-green to purple gland fringed with hairs. The fruit is an erect, three-angled capsule. It grows in mountain meadows, grasslands, sagebrush slopes, and open coniferous forest in the Rocky Mountains, often where soil is moist in spring and dries through summer. The bulb goes dormant after seed set and needs a dry summer rest. It does poorly in wet, heavy soils and with rich fertilizer, which limits its use in irrigated borders.
Native Range
Calochortus gunnisonii is native to the Rocky Mountains of western North America, including Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. It grows in montane meadows, grasslands, sagebrush slopes, and open coniferous forest.Suggested Uses
Used in rock gardens, gravel beds, native plant gardens, and dryland meadow plantings in mountain regions. It suits sites with spring moisture and a dry summer, alongside other bulbs and drought-tolerant perennials. Planted 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) deep and spaced 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) apart in groups.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'6"
Width/Spread4" - 6"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in summer, mainly June through August depending on elevation and snowmelt. Each stem opens one to a few flowers over a few weeks. After bloom the plant sets seed and goes dormant for the dry summer and winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to lavenderFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-8 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
Grow in full sun to light shade in lean, gritty, sharply drained soil that is moist in spring and dry in summer. This bulb is adapted to a seasonal cycle of spring moisture and a dry summer rest. Wet summer soil, heavy clay, and rich fertilizer cause the bulb to rot. No supplemental feeding is needed in lean native soils. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-7 and survives cold mountain winters under snow. Bulbs are slow to multiply and do not transplant well once settled.Pruning
No pruning is needed. The stem and foliage can be left to die back naturally, which feeds the bulb for the next season. Spent stems can be removed once they have dried and shed seed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons