Mariposa Lily

Mariposa Lily (Calochortus) - Bulbous plants from western N. America, of the Lily order, and forming one of the most charming groups of hardy plants, the colors of the flowers varied and beautiful. Excepting the Mexican species, which are few, Calochorti are hardy; but my experience is that unless on very warm soils their culture is precarious in England, and no wonder, considering they come from one of the most genial climates.

They are so singularly beautiful, however, that many will attempt their cultivation, and the advice of Mr Carl Purdy, who has studied the species in their native wilds, and cultivated them, is the best we can have: Also See: Flowers

Calochorti are natives of a vast region in N. America, stretching from far east of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, and from Northern Mexico to British America. From the sea-coast and islands they grow from 6000 feet to 9000 feet altitude on the peaks. Some are natives of the intensely hot deserts of Southern California and Arizona, and some grow in the moist meadows of Oregon in a climate differing but little from that of England. In Montana and other states of the inland region the species indigenous there have to bear as low a temperature as 40 degrees below zero. In the soils in which they naturally grow there is as much diversity. Clay, sands, loam and rocky debris are respectively the chosen homes of certain species, and several choose the blackest and stickiest of clays. One is found in salt meadows, and many in grassy meadows.

"I have at different times tried nearly every known species in many soils and situations. The winter climate of Ukiah is quite wet, with the thermometer often at 20 degrees to 24 degrees, and sometimes as low as 15 degrees above zero. Often the Calochorti leaves are frozen till they crackle, but I have never known any injury to result. In spring there is abundant rain until their flowering time, while our summer is perfectly dry. Perfect drainage is the first essential to success for all sorts. I have gradually come to the use of three mixtures. Along our river banks there is a winter deposit of sandy silt. This is excellent Calochortus soil, but not so good as the next. I find the best results follow from the use of about one-half half-rotten spent tan bark with one-half sandy or clay loam. The tan bark rots slowly and gives a loose, well-drained soil, which will not pack. This suits all Calochorti, and gives a splendid bloom and firm, well-ripened bulbs. For English growers many substitutes will occur. I know of but one disease to which Calochorti are subject. This is a mildew, the Lily leaf ash. It attacks them in the spring, just before the flowering stalk appears. It attacks the leaf tissue, and in a week entirely destroys the leaf and injures the bulb. In their susceptibility to the attacks of the fungus Calochorti vary greatly. All of the species having a single, glossy, radical leaf are free from its attacks. This includes all of the Star Tulips and the C. nitidus group. While all of the desert species, such as C. splendens, C. Kennedyi, C. Palmeri, C. Gunnisoni, C. Nuttalli, C. macrocarpus, and C. flexuosus are subject to it to such an extent as to make their successful culture very near hopeless unless some cure can be found for this mildew.

"While the amateur may prefer to try all sorts and get his experience for himself, I believe that many growers will appreciate a list of the best growers among the Calochorti. For such I would recommend the following:—

"In the globular-flowered Star Tulips, C. albus (white), C. pulchellus (yellow), and C. amoenus (rose-colored), are all thrifty and beautiful. Among the open-cupped Star Tulips, C. Benthami, in yellow, and C. Maweanus var. major, are the best. There is, however, a race of giant Star Tulips, sturdy plants 9 inches to 16 inches high, with large flowers of the same delicate style as Maweanus, which, although rare now, will soon quite displace the smaller ones. These are C. apiculatus (straw-colored), C. Greeni (blue), and C. Howelli (yellow). C. lilacinus, a lavender-colored sort, is a splendid grower and very desirable. In the next section, C. nitidus is a fine hardy and very beautiful plant, combining the attributes of Star Tulip and Mariposa. In the C. Weedi set, C. Plummerae is best. Of the true Butterfly Tulips, C. Vesta is by far the best grower. It is a sort which has great vitality, can be propagated very rapidly by offsets (three or four a year), and grows well in any well-drained soil. C. venustus var. purpurescens is almost as good a grower, and the two are by all odds the easiest Calochorti to grow. C. venustus var. citrinus, in lemon, is very thrifty. That grand plant C. clavatus is a fine grower.

"I have found that by very late planting I can bring sorts to flower which, planted early, invariably succumb. I had the same experience a year ago. It would seem that when planted early they reach a standstill period in late winter and cannot resist disease, while planted late they are in full growth at the critical period.

"Clearly if so much care is needed in their own lovely climate, in ours it will require all our care to secure them perfect drainage, porous soil and warmth, though no doubt some of the naturally warm soils may suit them."

Related Flowers

Calochortus Albus

Calochortus Albus - A charming species more easily grown than most. May be planted in the open border without much fear of failure.