Species Lyall's Mariposa Lily
white-purple flower with orange stamens, white filaments, white hairs, green leaves and brown-green stem

Lyall's Mariposa Lily

Calochortus lyallii

Lyall's Mariposa Lily (Calochortus lyallii) is a striking wildflower found in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It has a distinct cup-shaped white flower with purple stamens, a furry calyx, and three long petals emanating from the center. Growing to heights of about 18 inches, it often forms dense clusters of plants. It is an endangered species, found in meadows, dry grasslands, and roadsides with exposed soils. Blooms typically appear from late May to early June. It prefers sunny locations and dry, well-drained soil for optimum growth. Lyall's Mariposa Lily can be enjoyed in gardens, nicely highlighting other wildflowers.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Offsets,Bulbils,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

White/Cream Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Sun, Partial Shade, Shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Lyall's Mariposa Lily should be watered regularly for best results. Watering should take place in the early morning, as excessive amounts of water on the foliage can cause fungal growth. During the summer months, the plant should be watered at least weekly and during periods of warmer temperatures the plant may need to be watered more frequently. In autumn and winter months, watering should be reduced to approximately once every 2 weeks. Be sure not to over water and be also mindful of the soil moisture level to avoid root rot.

sunlight

Lyall's Mariposa Lily (Calochortus lyallii) does best in full sunlight to partial shade, receiving 5-8 hours of direct sunlight in the prime months of May-July and a couple of hours of morning or afternoon sunlight the other months of the year. This sun exposure window is essential for the plant to flower successfully in August-September. Sunlight should never be blocked for more than half of the day because the plant cannot stand too much heat. The plant should be kept in an area that receives adequate sunlight without intense heat.

pruning

Lyall's Mariposa Lily (Calochortus lyallii) is best pruned in late winter, before its spring flowering. A light but thorough pruning of no more than 1-third of the plant's foliage should be done, removing dead and damaged stems and leaving only the healthy parts intact. This will allow the plant to focus its energy on re-growth and will also help it to produce more flowers.

Season

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

The Lyall's Mariposa Lily typically starts flowering in late May or early June.

Starts Flowering

The Lyall's Mariposa Lily typically starts flowering in late May or early June.