Calochortus nuttallii (Sego Lily)
Sego Lily, Mariposa Lily, Sego-lily
Bursting from dry soils like jewels, Calochortus nuttallii (Sego Lily) is a charming perennial bulb boasting one to three large, white to lavender-blue, tulip-like flowers atop erect, slender stems from late spring to late summer. The delicate blossoms, up to 3 in. across (7 cm), feature 3 large satiny petals with yellow bases and red markings, and three narrower sepals. Growing from an onion-like bulb, it produces gray-green, grass-like, basal leaves which wither as the season progresses. Native to the drier regions of the American West, Sego Lily is the official state flower of Utah. Threatened in much of its range, it is protected and may not be picked or transplanted from the wild. Although Sego Lilies grow wild, they can be grown in a home garden as long as their requirements are met.
- Grows up to 10-20 in. high (25-50 cm) and 6-9 in. wide (15-22 cm).
- Performs best in full sun in sandy or loamy, dry, well-drained soils. Requires almost no water and tolerates very little rain. Drought tolerant.
- Bulbs must be kept completely dry from mid-summer to late fall.
- Keep an eye out for gophers and rodents, which may eat your bulbs.
- Plant your bulbs with this end down 3-4 in. deep (7-10 cm) and 6 in. apart (15 cm).
- Propagate by fall-sown seed. Corms reach maturity in 3-5 years.
- Native to Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
Buy Calochortus nuttallii (Sego Lily)
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 10" – 2' (25cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 6" – 9" (15cm – 22cm) |
Spacing | 6" (15cm) |
Depth | 3" – 4" (7cm – 10cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico |
Tolerance | Drought |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Andrey Zharkikh, Matt Lavin, Flickr
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 10" – 2' (25cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 6" – 9" (15cm – 22cm) |
Spacing | 6" (15cm) |
Depth | 3" – 4" (7cm – 10cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico |
Tolerance | Drought |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |