Species Western Mountain-Bells
purple-green flowers with light-green petioles and stems

Western Mountain-Bells

Anticlea occidentalis

Western Mountain-Bells (Anticlea occidentalis) is a perennial wildflower native to western North America. It grows in open meadows, alpine slopes, and along streams in Alaska, British Columbia, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming. Its dark-purple to pink bell-shaped flowers have a long curly protruding spike and bloom in early summer. The flowers are followed by a capsule containing silky white seeds, which contain antifungal compounds. The plant is drought resistant and grows best in well draining soils. Its deep taproots make it tolerant to erosion. An attractive addition to native landscapes, Western Mountain-Bells is a great additon for the garden.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Layering Propagation,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water Western Mountain-Bells (Anticlea occidentalis) about once a week during the growing season. How much to water depends on the plant's soil conditions and how quickly the soil drains water from the container. A good rule of thumb is to water deeply until water runs out of the drainage holes, and then wait for the top 1 inch of soil to dry before watering again. In times of high heat and dry weather, the plant may need to be watered more often. During the winter and other dormant periods, the plant needs much less water and must be monitored closely to prevent overwatering.

sunlight

Western Mountain-Bells (Anticlea occidentalis) require ample sunlight to grow and thrive. They prefer between 6 and 8 hours of direct sunlight per day, with slightly less sunlight in the summer months. This can vary depending on the climate in which they are growing - for example, in very sunny climates they may need slightly less direct sunlight than in cooler or shadier ones. If the plants receive too little sunlight, their stems may be weak, their blooms less vibrant, and their leaves may even yellow and die.

pruning

Western Mountain-Bells generally need to be pruned at least once a year, but the timing of this pruning will depend on the climate zone in which the plant is being grown. If the plant is being grown in a cooler climate, it is best to prune in the spring, as this allows the plant to focus on vegetative growth during the warm season. In a warmer climate, it is best to prune in the late summer or early fall, as this allows the plant to focus on flowering during the cool season. In either case, pruning should be done conservatively and judiciously, limiting removal of large portions of the plant's growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Anticlea occidentalis typically begins in July and continues through September.

Starts Flowering

Western Mountain-Bells typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Western Mountain-Bells typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Anticlea occidentalis typically begins in July and continues through September.