Colorful Corms, Beautiful Bulbs and Ravishing Rhizomes

California native bulbs for the home garden

Long Beach Garden Club – 2017 – Connie Vadheim© Project SOUND

Veteran gardeners understand the magic of bulbs

© Project SOUND

http://weloveteaching.com/landscape/frntyd/frontyard.htm

Why do some perennials produce bulbs?In a word - survival

Allow plants to survive difficult conditions:

Extreme cold Extreme drought

Gives plants a second means of reproduction

Seeds Vegetative reproduction

© Project SOUND

Bulbs, corms & rhizomes: what’s the difference? Why important?

Many gardeners just lump them all together as ‘flower bulbs’ or ‘garden bulbs’

Actually are different structures

Look and behave somewhat differently

Implications for their management

© Project SOUND

True Bulbs: underground stems that persist

A short stem w/ fleshy leaves/bases

Leaf scales (bases) actually store ‘food’ (form rings) during dormancy

Embryonic shoot in center

After flowering, the leaves produce energy which is stored in the bulb; after that, leaves die back

Same bulb persists year after year

Examples: Amaryllis, Narcissus, Alliums, Lily, Tulips and "Dutch" irises and Oxalis

© Project SOUND

Small new bulbs are called offsets, bulbils or bulblets

Corms: swollen stem base that is replaced each year

Swollen stem base modified into a mass of storage tissue.

No visible storage rings (solid).

Contains a basal plate (bottom of corm from which roots develop),thin tunic and a growing point.

Each year, brand new corm(s) replace (on top of) the old corm

Examples: Gladiolus, Crocus, Crocosmia, Freesia (‘Autumn bulbs’)

CA natives: Brodiaea, Dichelostema

© Project SOUND

http://theseedsite.co.uk/bulbs.html

Rhizomes: thick, sideways stems

Also called creeping rootstalks and rootstocks.

Stems that grow sideways along the surface of the soil or just below it.

Plants that use rhizomes for food storage have fatter, more bulblike rhizomes, covered with dried leaves.

Rhizomes branch out; each new portion develops roots and a shoot of its own.

Familiar rhizomes include Bearded Iris, Lily-of-the-valley, Canna, Peony and Ginger (Zingiber officinale).

© Project SOUND

Why is it important to know the differences?

© Project SOUND

Not all native ‘garden bulbs’ are easy to grow – and some aren’t available

I’ll focus today on some that I recommend for the beginning California native ‘bulb’ gardener

© Project SOUND

A good place to start is with the native onions

© Project SOUND

True Bulbs : The Wild Onions – genus Allium

Almost fifty CA species; 700 worldwide.

Some CA natives are edible

Most are easy to grow & multiply rapidly from both bulbils and seeds.

Come from range of natural conditions: Most CA onions are from dry, rocky habitats;

need good drainage & summer drought.

Species native to CA mountains or moist meadows (N. CA) prefer full sun and regular watering all season.

Alliums do well in containers, rock gardens, along walkways and grouped near the front of mixed beds/perennial borders.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22744855@N08/favorites/page12/

Red-Skinned Onion – Allium haematochiton

© 2001 Steven Thorsted

Red-skinned Onion: typical S. CA type

Soils – clay or rocky

Drainage – mostly dry slopes

Sun requirements – usually found in openings in seasonal grasslands, fields

Needs to dry out after blooming; summer/fall dry

Easy to grow in a pot; comes back year after year with the rains

Why include Red-skinned onion in your garden?

Local native

Long blooming period - may bloom in Dec-Jan and then again in spring

Naturalizes – doubles every year

Flowers attract nectar-loving insects and birds

Bulbs and leaves are edible (raw, roasted or for flavoring)

© Project SOUND

Peninsula/Mexicali Onion – Allium peninsulare

Foothills: coast & SW CA, Sierra Locally: Catalina Isl, San Clemente Isl,

Santa Monica Mtns, San Gabriels Summer dry slopes, flats often in clay

soils Usually in Valley Grassland, Foothill

Woodland, and Coastal Chaparral

© Project SOUND

Peninsula Onion – Allium peninsulare

var. franciscanum

var. peninsulare

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242102162

©2005 Victoria Marshall

© Project SOUND

Flowers are fantastic

Growth form: Perennial from a true bulb Summer/fall dormant – dies back

to bulb after setting seed

Blooms: in spring – usually April-May in our area; one of the later-blooming onions

Flowers: Tepals (petals/sepals) fused Color: usually brilliant magenta;

sometimes lighter and even white In open, rather flat umbel-like

clusters

©2010 Barry Breckling

©2011 Steven Perry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Alliumpeninsulare.jpg

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: clay or rocky soils in nature; most local soils, except poorly draining

pH: any local

Light: full sun to part-shade

Water: Winter: rains will be enough

in many years; supplement if long dry periods

Summer: best with none (Water Zone 1); more tolerant of a little summer water than most native bulbs

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: leave dry leaves attached until fall

©2010 Barry Breckling

© Project SOUND

An exotic color spot Excellent container plant – as are

all native Alliums and other bulbs

Fronts of summer-dry beds

In mixed meadow/prairie

Tucked into dry places©2011 Steven Perry

©2011 Steven Perry http://www.flickr.com/photos/xerantheum/5684109897/ http://www.theodorepayne.org/mediawiki/

index.php?title=Allium_peninsulare

© Project SOUND

Tricks for maintaining CA native bulbs

Maintenance tip: In early summer, remove the dried stalks for neatness. Be sure to collect the seeds for propagation or for trading with fellow gardeners.

Many native true bulbs do best if you let their leaves drop off naturally

How do California native ‘bulbs’ differ from common garden types?

When they bloom:

Many California natives bloom during the wet season (winter/spring) rather than summer.

This is typical for ‘bulbs’ from mediterranean climates.

‘Bulbs’ from N. CA and mountains tend to be later bloomers

Common ‘garden bulbs’ bloom spring/summer. They come from places with frigid winters and rainy summers

© Project SOUND

How do California native ‘bulbs’ differ from common garden types?

Water requirements

Do not water native ‘bulb’ beds after flowering ceases & plants produce seeds (usually summer/fall). This is really important.

Native bulbs need a period of rest, and will rot with summer water. The ideal spot is far away from the garden hose, sprinklers, and emitters.

S. California species must be summer/fall dry; those from N. CA and mountains tolerate a little more summer water.

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

Meadow Onion – Allium unifolium

http://www.calfloranursery.com/images/pics/a_b/allium_unifolium.jpg

© Project SOUND

Flowers: ooh-la-la!! Blooms:

Spring-summer; usually May-June but varies with weather (heat; rains)

Blooms for ~ 3 weeks

Flowers: Super-showy; pink or lavender,

pastel Typical for onions; small star-

shaped flowers in open cluster Makes a lovely cut flower –

sweet fragrance

Seeds: Small, black seeds in papery

capsule Easy to collect & grow

© 2007 Neal Kramer

http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=6093442

© Project SOUND

For garden or bouquet As an showy container plant With non-native bulbs or natives

that require a little water In rain garden, swale or veg.

garden – OK with summer water Sunny edges in a woodland garden Will naturalize – lovely massed

http://drystonegarden.com/index.php/2009/04/allium-unifolium/

How do California native ‘bulbs’ differ from common garden types?

Light requirements:

Most California natives like either full sun or part-shade. There are a few exceptions – plants from woodland areas.

Light requirements for common ‘garden bulbs’ vary, but there are more ‘woodland types’ – those that like/need a bit of shade

Fertilizer requirements: Most natives have low needs; un-

amended garden soil, or single low dose for those in containers

© Project SOUND

The best way to succeed with natives is to mimic the conditions from which they came

© Project SOUND

The genus Calochortus 70 species from British Columbia to

Guatemala and east to Nebraska (28 species endemic to CA).

The genus Calochortus includes: Mariposas (or Mariposa lilies) with open

wedge-shaped petals - dry grasslands and semideserts

Globe lilies and Fairy lanterns with globe-shaped flowers - closed forests

Cat's ears and Star tulips with erect pointed petals - wet meadows & montane woodlands

Calochortus produce one or more flowers on a stem that arises from the bulb, generally in the spring or early summer.

Unlike most other Liliaceae, Calochortuspetals differ in size and color from their sepals. Flowers can be white, yellow, pink, purple, bluish, or streaked.

The insides of the petals are often highly hairy. These hairs, along with the nectaries, are often used in distinguishing species from each other.

The word Calochortus is derived from Greek and means "beautiful grass".

C. luteus

C. catalinae

© Project SOUND

*Diogenes' lantern (Yellow globelily) –Calochortus amabilis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Calochortus_amabilis_2.jpg

Calochortus can be difficult to grow – and bloom sporadically

© Project SOUND

*Checker lily – Fritillaria affinis

© 2005, Ben Legler

We suggest trying the Fritillaries when you have more experience with native bulbs

© Project SOUND

Common camas lily – Camassa quamash

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/179510735122080411/

Common cammas: important food plant,

then and now

Camas continues to be one of the most important "root" foods of western North American indigenous peoples, from southwestern British Columbia to Montana, and south to California

It was and is considered to be a delicacy. People traveled great distances to harvest the bulbs. Thought to have been semi-domesticated by the women to

produce maximum harvest.

© Project SOUND

http://thenorthwestforager.com/2014/04/28/camas-quamash/

Cooking with Camassia quamash

Traditionally, bulbs were steamed for pit-cooked slowly for a least a day, up to three, then ground up and mixed to make gravy.

Today, bulbs are still: Roasted/slow-cooked Eaten as is or in desserts

The freshly roasted bulb is reported to be very sweet and to taste similar to a baked pear or pumpkin

© Project SOUND

http://www.malag.aes.oregonstate.edu/wildflowers/species.php/id-837

http://thenorthwestforager.com/2014/04/28/camas-quamash/

© Project SOUND

Camas is queen Fantastic when massed – but

difficult to do in S. CA

Very attractive pot plant

Accent plant in dry garden beds, around shrubs

© 2005 Steve Matson

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/171488698282426849/

https://www.gardenia.net/guide/a-contemporary-blue-spring-garden

Bulbs in containers: an easy way to go Know their soil requirements –

craft a custom mix

Know their water regimen – store summer dry pots in cool place

Know how dense to plant Camassias: 4-9 bulbs per square

foot

© Project SOUNDhttp://porch.com/advice/inspiring-containers-for-your-winter-bulbs/

Large camas - Camassia leichtlinii

© Project SOUND

Easy to grow –large bulb

Tolerates a little more summer water

Available by mail from several traditional bulb sources

Sources of Bulbs and Bulb Seeds

Teleos Rare Bulbs

Theodore Payne Foundation –Sunland

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden –Claremont

Project SOUND – CSUDH

Fraser’s Thimble Farms

John Scheepers Bulbs

© Project SOUND

Some rarer natives cost a little more…

Grow them in pots; you can double your investment with offsets and seeds

© Project SOUND

Wavy-leaf Soap Plant - Chlorogalum pomeridianum

Soap Plant requirements

Light: full sun to part-shade

Soils: any local (well-drained best)

Water: tolerates average to

low watering Requires dry period

in late summer/fall

Nutrients: benefits from organic mulch

http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Chlorogalum

http://plants.montara.com/ListPages/FamPages/Lilia2.html

Plants naturalize by seed

The Amole bulb

Is a useful organ indeed: For the plant

Storage organ for plant Reproductive organ for plant

Food source for animals Many uses for humans:

Edible: must slow bake to remove saponins

Makes good shampoo/ soap Hairy covering makes good

brush

http://plants.montara.com/ListPages/FamPages/Lilia2.html

Young shoots and leaves can be eaten raw or steamed

A vase full of lilies…how sublime!

© Project SOUND

If you already grow lilies in your garden, you might want to add some natives

© Project SOUNDhttp://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1941351/more-garden-scenes-and-some-lilies-photo-heavy

© Project SOUND

Leopard (Tiger) Lily – Lilium pardalinum

http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/NorthAmericanLiliumTwo

© Project SOUND

Flowers are glorious

Blooms: in late spring/summer; usually June & July

Flowers: Drooping ‘Turk’s cap’ type

lily flowers; up to 15 per stalk

Nice size: 2-4 in. across Lovely colors: mostly reds,

oranges or yellows with maroon spots

As pretty as any Asian lily humming birds, butterflies

love it

Seeds: flat seeds in tough, oblong pod (typical for lilies)

http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/NorthAmericanLiliumTwo

© Project SOUND

Wetland lilies for a woodsy garden

In dappled shade with ferns For bog gardens, rain gardens As an attractive pot plant – do

great in shady containers Shady moist areas around patios

and sitting areas, arbors, etc.

http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_l/lilpar.html

© 2009 Barry Rice

© Project SOUND

*Washington Lily – Lilium washingtonianum

© 2008 Vernon Smith

Very fragrant flowers

© Project SOUND

Dryland Lilies: more like local bulbs

Soils: Texture: well-drained pH: any local

Light: Full sun to very light shade

Water: Winter: plenty; even flooding Summer: quite drought-

tolerant once established; Zone 2 or 2-3 during flowering then taper off

Fertilizer: OK with organic mulches and soil amendments –fine in garden beds

Other: leave them in place in the garden – don’t like being moved

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

How many native CA species of ‘garden bulbs’ are there?

Alliums (onions) – 48 Calochortus (mariposa lily) - 45 Camassia (camas lily) – 2 Chlorogalum (soap lily) – 5 Fritillaria (fritillary) – 21 Lilium (lilies) – 12 Oxalis - 5

Bloomeria – 3 Brodiaea – 19 Dichelostemma – 5 Erythronium (fawn lily) – 16 Odontostomum (doll lily) - 1 Triteleia (tritelia) - 15

© Project SOUND

True bulbs

Epipactis (stream orchids) - 1 Iris – 14 Sisyrinchium - 8

Corms

Rhizomes/rhizome-like

Bluedicks – Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum

http://biology.csusb.edu/PlantGuideFolder/DichelostemmaCap/DichelostemmaCapPlant800.jpg

© Project SOUND

* Wild Hyacinth – Dichelostemma multiflorum

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© Project SOUND

Wild Hyacinth is a typical Dichelostema

Size: 1-2 ft tall < 1 ft wide

Growth form: Perennial from a corm Dies back to corn in dry

summers; re-sprouts with the fall/winter rains

Foliage: Strap-like leaves Leaves start to die back before

spring flowering

Corm: can be baked & eaten like new potatoes

Mark W. Skinner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

http://www.theodorepayne.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Image:Dichelostemma_multiflorum2.jpg

Dichelostema are easy & reliable from corms

Plant bigger corms 3-4 inches deep and smaller corms 1-2 inches deep

Plant in well-drained soil; garden or pot in full sun (plants can tolerate

afternoon sun) in the autumn – just before the

rains

Space the corms 1-6 inches apart.

If gophers are a problem, dig a hole and line it with chicken wire mesh or make a cage for corms.

Water the plants (wet, not soggy) and then wait for the winter rains.

© Project SOUND

© 2002 Christina Raving

http://www.serg.sdsu.edu/SERG/restorationproj/woodlandgrassland/pencan/penasquitos_final.htm

To succeed with California bulbs, follow these simple rules: beware of pests

Gophers, skunks, even pesky squirrels love bulbs In the ground, protect bulbs be

caging with chicken wire In pots, use a chicken wire insert

(you can cover it with mulch); bulbs grow through it.

Guard against snails and slugs. Except for alliums, most California bulbs are extremely attractive to these garden pests.

White-crowned sparrows and other birds may eat the leaves of some bulbs in spring

© Project SOUND

Dichelostema (and other ‘bulbs’) can be started in pots Plant as usual; cover lightly

Water seedlings through the spring.

At the beginning of hot weather, when leaves start to yellow, cease watering

During summer: Move pots to a darker area, such as a

carport, garage or dry shady spot outdoors Keep a screen on pots to keep out foraging

animals.

When the weather cools down again, move the pots back outside and go through a full rain or watering cycle once again.

Will take several years (usually 3) to reach flowering size

© Project SOUND

Dichelostema brighten the spring garden

As an attractive pot plant

Tucked around summer-dry shrubs

In prairie/grassland planting

Be sure to include in spring bouquets

© 2004 Carol W. Witham

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairewoods/3552292585/

CA native bulbs/corms are perfect for those difficult to water areas of the garden

© Project SOUND

* Firecracker Flower – Dichelostemma ida-maia

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© Project SOUND

Design tricks for using bulb/corms

Bulbs are invisible 6 months of the year, so place them around existing shrubs, perennials, and bunchgrasses; they’ll command interest when bulbs go dormant.

Or plant bulbs/corms in a cache pot (pot within a pot); you can then swap out the bulb pot during the dormant season

http://www.flickr.com/photos/morabeza79/favorites/page21/

http://www.learn2grow.com/plants/dichelostemma-ida-maia-images-large-134271/

http://ele-middleman.at.webry.info/200606/article_37.html

Common Golden Stars – Bloomeria crocea

Common Golden Stars in nature

Found primarily on dry flats, hillsides in grasslands, Coastal Sage Scrub, chaparral and open woodlands

Often found in heavy, clay soils

Can grow in grassy areas –competes well

http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Themidaceae/Bloomeria%20crocea.htm

http://coefire2007.info/research/ld1.html

Why consider Goldenstars? Attractive yellow flowers in late

spring (April-June)

Flowers are long-lasting and make nice cut flowers; attract butterflies

Naturalizes well in well-drained soils

http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Bloomeria

How do perennials with underground reproductive organs know when to sprout?

Environmental conditions trigger the transition from one stage to the next

Most CA native bulbs respond to winter rains by commencing growth; others also need warm temperatures

Many CA native bulbs commence to flower when soils begin to dry out

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

CA native bulb calendar

Feb-Mar Blue Dicks/Wild Hyacinth Local Onions (Allium) Sisyrinchium begins Early Calochortus

Mar-April Sisyrinchium N. Coastal Onions Goldenstars Calochortus Iris

May-June Calochortus Lilies Tritelias (if not earlier) Brodieae

http://www.flickr.com/photos/atweed/4406640979/

© Project SOUND

Ithuriel’s Spear – Triteleia laxa

http://www.prod.bulbsonline.org/ibc/en/publiek/collection.jsf/Information/spring-blooming-bulbs/triteleia-laxa;jsessionid=AC136357DA08D01EBB6BF2ED0434206D

Favorite garden ‘bulb’ for long time

© Project SOUNDhttp://www.csuchico.edu/biol/Herb/curator/bidwell_park_03-30-05/Slopes_above_Day_Camp_3-30-05.htm

Ithuriel’s Spear in nature – clues to its use

© Project SOUND

Ithuriel’s Spear is one of our easiest bulbs

Soils: Texture: any but heaviest clays pH: any local

Light: Full sun to quite shady – best

full sun to light shade Fine under high trees

Water: Winter: adequate while leaves

are actively growing Summer: start tapering off

water when flowering stalks appear. Needs summer/fall rest – Zone 1

Fertilizer: none to light dose (in pots)

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=TRLA16

© Project SOUND

Versatile native corms

Some of the best plants for pots/containers –pair with native annual wildflowers for a great show even on patios

Massed as an accent plant –remember that they need summer/fall dry

With native grasses in a natural meadow or prairie –remember, our native prairies were not just grasses

In rock gardens or along paths

In pollinator/butterfly gardens

http://www.notsogreenthumb.org/shows/chelsea_flower_show/chelsea_flower_show2003_page3.htm

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Triteleia_laxa

© Project SOUND

Available from native plant sources & Holland bulb companies

Large, intense purple-blue flowers Grows well in gardens

‘Queen Fabiola’

http://www.americanmeadows.com/SpringFlowerBulbs/Others/TriteleiaQueenFabiolaFlowerBulbs.aspx

http://www.marthastewart.com/plant/triteleia-laxa-queen-fabiola

http://drystonegarden.com/index.php/2011/06/june-bloom-day/https://tanglycottage.wordpress.com/tag/brodiaea-queen-fabiola/

© Project SOUND

‘Corrina’

Violet flowers with violet-purple tips & veins

Very showy in early summer

http://www.theodorepayne.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Triteleia_laxa_'Corrina'

http://www.millergarden.org/garden/summer/summer-8.jpg

© Project SOUND

*White brodiaea – Tritelia hyacinthina

Flowers are sweet (literally)

© Project SOUND

Must-have Tritelia In the scented garden – wonderful!

In pollinator garden – for butterflies & small insect pollinators

Fantastic in containers or rock garden; alone or with annual wildflowers

White accent; lovely massed

©2010 Barry Breckling

Brodiaea genus with sixteen species

restricted to western North America

Differentiated from Dichelostemma by: a flowering stem that is generally

straight not curved or twisted, an umbel that is typically open, not

dense

genus considered to be a member of many different families in the past. Recent work is now placing it in a new family, Themidaceae

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/earthbrodiaea.html

© Project SOUND

* Harvest Brodiaea – Brodiaea elegans

http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/Brodiaea/Brodiaea_elegans_br3.jpg

© Project SOUND

Brodiaeas: easy to please Soils:

Texture: best in heavy clay soils pH: any local

Light: Full sun to part-shade

Water: Winter: needs good moisture

when leaves are growing – storing nutrients for next year

Summer: cut down water as flowering winds down – dry after that.

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: may need to provide support; thin corms every 3-4 years – when flowers become smaller

© 2009 Terry Dye

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BREL

© Project SOUND

Brodiaea – easy later color for the garden

Excellent late color when massed –really spectacular for 3-4 weeks

In native prairie/grassland plantings – take your cues from Mother Nature

As an attractive pot plant – plant with Clarkias or Gilias

Along walkways; in a rock garden

In those ‘small, difficult to water’ areas with Penstemons, native grasses

http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/BrodiaeaSpeciesOne

Douglas Iris: native from rhizomes

Dig up/divide rhizomes in fall or winter

Divide with knife or shovel

Set in prepared site, water and shade for several days

http://uk.dk.com/static/cs/uk/11/clipart/sci_plant/image_sci_plant023.html

http://www.hort.cornell.edu/department/faculty/wmiller/bulb/rhizome.gif

http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/b944-w.htg/B944-3.gif

* Douglas Iris - Iris douglasiana

© Project SOUND

Douglas Iris Shady borders

Around ponds, pools; in wet areas, including rain gardens

Vernal swales, meadows

In shady places under trees

As an attractive pot plant

http://www.pacificcoastiris.org/spcni_photojournals/pj_douglasiana_ranchosantaana.html

Gardening hints for Douglas Iris Very easy to grow – once you

find the right place for it

Does fine in alkali soils and maritime conditions

Prefers light to medium shade –full sun is too much even in inland Long Beach

Needs little summer water

Prune flowers after blooming

May need to thin every 4-5 years

Long-livedNote: leaves and rhizomes toxic if eaten (humans and animals)

‘Pacific Coast’ hybrids

http://wildsuburbia.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html

http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/pacific-coast-iris-2/

http://www.matilijanursery.com/

Range of colors: white to purple, magenta

Readily available

Routinely planted in CA gardens

Western Blue-eyed Grass - Sisyrinchium bellum

Western Blue-eyed Grass - Sisyrinchium bellum

Not a grass at all – a member of the Iris family (smallest member of the Iris family)

Distribution: Much of CA, OR

Habitat:

Open, generally moist, grassy areas Woodlands

http://www.watershednursery.com/nursery/plant-finder/sisyrinchium-bellum/ http://camissonia.blogspot.com/2010/04/treks-on-santa-rosa-plateau-vernal-pool.html

© Project SOUND

Yellow-eyed Grass – Sisyrinchium californicum

http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Sisyrinchium-californicum/

http://www.gardenbythesea.org/mcbg-plant-collections/coastal-bluffs-marine-zone/http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101895

Blue-eyed Grass and Douglas Iris have similar requirements

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Soils: any texture, pH; good drainage

Nutrition: low needs

Water: Rain water usually adequate in

winter water twice a month during late

spring/summer to keep foliage green

With-hold water during late summer to allow seed maturation, dormancy

Increases modestly by rhizomes

© Project SOUND

Garden uses for Rock garden, meadows, mixed

borders; lovely with wildflowers (California Poppy, Blue Flax and Clarkia and others)

Nice in containers

Useful for filling in around plantings of shrubs and trees

Blue-eyed grass Clip dried flower stalks Sow seed in small pots in winter Good germination; easy from seed or

rhizome Divide and grow up; flowers 2nd year

What we’ve learned today

California has a wide array of native bulbs, corms & rhizomatous perennials

Many are lovely and useful

Some are very easy to grow – and many of those naturalize by both offsets & seeds

More are becoming available

© Project SOUND

What else we’ve learned

Native ‘garden bulbs’ are adapted to our mediterranean climate:

Are one adaptation to our hot, dry season

Are planted after the first fall/ winter rains – be sure to order in summer

Many bloom in spring/early summer

Most need to be dry after they bloom & set seed – for many summer & fall

Species from N. CA tend to be a bit more tolerant of summer water

When in doubt, mimic natural conditions for the place the plant grows naturally

© Project SOUND

http://www.phytoimages.siu.edu/taxpage/0/0/79/binomial/Brodiaea%20elegans.html

Native ‘bulbs’ can be grown in pots or in the ground

© Project SOUND

Look for more on native bulbs at Mother Nature’s Backyard blog

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Where can you find a place for these little jewels in your own garden?

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