Guide to growing garden plants - Calochortus (Mariposa Lily)
Calochortus is a half hardy bulb.
It grows to a height of between 15 and 90cm (depending on species) and flowers in the spring with cup shaped flowers with petals of yellow, white purple or red.
Some of the better known names include Globe Tulip, Butterfly Tulip, Fairy Lantern, Cat's ear, Mariposa lily, Star Tulip and Sego lily.
How to grow Mariposa Lily (Calochortus)
If planning to grow Calochortus outdoors from the off it is best to sow out the seed in the autumn, simply cover the seeds.
If growing from bulbs then they should be buried at a depth of 8 to 10cm. If starting seedlings off indoors then it is best to start the process in th e late summer or early in the spring. Germination will take between one and six months and should be performed at a temperature of 13 to 18C. Growing Mariposa Lily and other Calochortus members is a long process, the seedlings should be allowed to grow for two years, re-potted, allowed another two years growth and then the bulbs planted at a distance of 10cm apart in the garden.
Caring for mariposa lily
Mariposa Lily like to grow in sunny or partially shaded areas of the garden in sandy acidic soil that has good drainage. After about 6 years from the initial sowing the flowers should flower.