Calochortus splendens
Splendid Mariposa Lily
Overview
Calochortus splendens is a perennial bulb in the lily family, sending up a slender, branching stem 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) tall from a deep underground bulb. A few narrow, grass-like leaves appear low on the stem and often wither by flowering time. From late spring into summer the stem bears one to several upward-facing, bell- to cup-shaped flowers about 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) across, with three broad lilac to lavender-pink petals. Each petal is sparsely hairy near the base and may carry a small purple spot, framing the slender style and stamens. The flowers ripen into erect, three-angled seed capsules. Native to chaparral, grassland, and open slopes of southern and central California and Baja California, C. splendens grows on dry, well-drained soils and goes summer-dormant after seed set, surviving the dry season as a dormant bulb. One limitation is this seasonal dormancy: the foliage and flowers vanish by midsummer, leaving bare ground. Bulbs multiply slowly and rot if watered during summer dormancy. The flowers draw native bees and other pollinators during the dry-season bloom.
Native Range
Calochortus splendens is native to southern and central California and Baja California, Mexico. It grows in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, oak woodland openings, and grassy slopes on dry, well-drained soils from the coast to inland foothills.Suggested Uses
Calochortus splendens is grown in native plant gardens, dry rock gardens, and bulb collections in Mediterranean climates, and in containers where summer drainage can be controlled. It suits unirrigated slopes and meadow plantings that dry out in summer. It is used in habitat restoration on dry California hillsides.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread4" - 8"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
lilac to lavender-pinkFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Calochortus splendens grows in full sun to light shade on lean, sharply drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils across a pH of about 6.0 to 7.5. It follows a Mediterranean rhythm, growing with winter and spring rain and going fully dormant through the dry summer, when the bulb needs to stay dry. Established bulbs are hardy in roughly zones 7 to 10 and need no summer water. Sharp drainage is essential, since wet soil in dormancy rots the bulb. Bulbs are planted in autumn at about 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) deep. They multiply slowly and are mainly raised from seed, which takes several years to reach flowering size.Pruning
C. splendens needs no pruning. The withered stem and leaves can be cleared once the plant goes dormant in summer. Spent capsules may be left to self-sow or removed before they split.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons