Claytonia lanceolata (Western Spring Beauty)
Western Spring Beauty, Lanceleaf Spring Beauty, Spring Beauty, Indian Potato
A delight to the eyes, Claytonia lanceolata (Western Spring Beauty) is a charming tuberous perennial with a short stem bearing a pair of fleshy, lance-shaped leaves and loose clusters of 3-20 small, bowl-shaped, white to pink flowers. Blooming from mid-spring to mid-summer (depending on elevation), barely waiting for the snow to melt, each flower features yellow blotches near the base of each petal, five white stamens supporting pink anthers, and a white stigma. Delicate dark-purplish veins on the petals help guide bees to the nectar. One or two basal leaves may be present early in the season. Western Spring Beauty grows from a spherical, edible, underground tuber that tastes like a potato. Native Americans used the tuber for food and for animal fodder. Emerging in great profusion on spring-wet open slopes, Western Spring Beauty thrives in the rocky soil of alpine climates and makes a lovely addition to the rock garden.
- Grows up to 6-10 in. tall and wide (15-25 cm). This beauty naturalizes rapidly by bulb offsets and self-seeding.
- Easily grown in sandy, loamy, moist, acidic, well-drained soils in full sun.
- No serious pest or disease issues.
- Propagate using corms or seeds. Seeds should be sown as soon as they ripen. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Division of offsets in spring or fall.
- Native to western North America.
Buy Claytonia lanceolata (Western Spring Beauty)
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid) |
Height | 8" – 10" (20cm – 25cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, New Mexico |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden |
Brewbooks, Photogramma1,Peter Stevens, Andrey Zharkikh, 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 | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid) |
Height | 8" – 10" (20cm – 25cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, New Mexico |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden |