Calochortus tolmiei
Tolmie's pussy ears
Overview
Calochortus tolmiei is a bulb-forming perennial 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall, native to grassy slopes, open woodland, and rocky outcrops of the Pacific Northwest. A single blue-green basal leaf 4-10 inches (10-25 cm) long emerges in late winter and often persists into bloom. In spring, slender stems carry one to several upward-facing, cup-shaped flowers about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) wide, with three broad petals ranging from white to pink-lavender and densely covered inside with long, soft hairs, the feature behind the name pussy ears. The hairy petal surface and the cup shape set it apart among the western mariposa lilies. After flowering the plant sets a three-angled capsule, then the foliage withers and the bulb rests through the dry summer and autumn. Plants are slow from seed, often taking several years to flower, and the bulbs resent summer water in cultivation. It grows in open, well-drained ground, including thin and serpentine soils, and fades where soils stay rich and moist.
Native Range
Native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, from California north through Oregon into Washington, on grassy hillsides, open coniferous woodland, rocky outcrops, and serpentine soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in rock gardens, dry meadows, and bulb frames among other summer-dry plants. Used in Pacific Northwest native plantings and gravelly slopes where soils drain freely. Its summer dormancy and dislike of irrigation restrict its use in regularly watered beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 8"
Width/Spread3" - 6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open in spring, generally April through June depending on elevation. One to several cup-shaped flowers per stem face upward, each with the petals bearded inside by long hairs. Native bees visit the flowers, working among the hairs to reach pollen.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to pink-lavenderFoliage Description
Blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 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
Full sun to light shade and sharply drained, lean soil suit this woodland-edge bulb. It tolerates a soil pH from about 6.0 to 7.5 and needs winter and spring moisture followed by a dry summer rest. Summer irrigation on the dormant bulb causes rot, the most common cause of failure in gardens. Plants grow slowly from seed and take several years to reach flowering size. Gophers and other rodents eat the bulbs. The foliage dies back by early summer, leaving no presence until the following winter.Pruning
Spent flower stems can be removed after the capsules form, or left if seed is wanted. The single leaf is left to die back naturally and feed the bulb. No other pruning applies.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons