Triteleia laxa (Ithuriel’s Spears)

Reminiscent of a spear, Triteleia laxa (Ithuriel’s Spear) is a late spring or early summer flowering corm featuring funnel-shaped flowers, up to 1-2 in. wide (2-5 cm), arranged in large, loose umbels rising on long, slender stalks atop narrow, erect basal leaves. The flower color varies from deep blue to pale purple-blue to almost white. Since they open up one at a time, the blooming period of this flower bulb lasts for quite a while before it goes dormant, requiring a summer dry rest. Easy to grow, undemanding, beautiful and adaptable, this plant is a great addition to the landscape.

• Growing up to 15-18 in. high (37-45 cm), this beauty will naturalize in optimum growing conditions and will come back year after year!
• Easily grown in light, sandy, fertile, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Tolerates clay soil. In cold winter areas, apply a layer of mulch to protect this plant. For best results, provide the plant with consistent moisture spring to early summer; however, maintain a dry soil after blooming until the following spring. Drought tolerant.
• Virtually disease-free and pest-free.
• Stunning in beds, borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens or city gardens. For best visual impact, plant in groups (at least 10 bulbs). Long-lasting cut flowers with a great vase life.
• Propagate by separating corms when dormant.

This exceptionally interesting genus is offered under a variety of names. In addition to ‘Brodiaea’, it is also known as ‘Ipheion’, ‘Dicholostemma’ and ‘Bloomeria’. Although there are more than 300 species, Triteleia laxa is the only one which is commonly cultivated and available. This bulbous plant originally comes from the warm regions of the United States, specifically California, and is not entirely winter hardy.