1. * Harvest (Elegant) Brodiaea – Brodiaea elegans
( bro-DEE-uh El-eh-ganz)
Family: Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Native to: Coastal ranges of N. & Central CA, Sierras and San Francisco area to southern OR. May
also occur in S. CA; on grassy slopes, open prairies, and rocky bluffs overlooking the sea.
herbaceous perennial bulb mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: <1 ft.
Perennial that dies back to the bulb after flowering.
Mounds of narrow, strap-like leaves in early
spring - wither and die before flowering. Bulb is less than ½ inch in diameter.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms when native grasses are drying - usually May-June or even July.
Numerous showy blue-purple flowers borne on a slender stalk. Flowers are funnel-form and look
rather like lily flowers. Color varies from very dark purple to light pink depending on site,
conditions.
Bulbs can be baked and eaten.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Extremely showy addition to a native grass garden or rock garden. Use in pots
or along paths for a spot of bright purple color. Easy to grow and dependable in most gardens.
Plants will naturally increase from bulbs and seeds.
Lovely massed in the front of mixed beds.
Makes a good cut flower.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native bulbs.
Attracts: Nectar source for butterflies.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part shade,
Clays best. Any local pH.
Needs spring water; let dry out (Zone 1) after flowering.
None needed.
Management:
Easy to grow in most gardens. Plants may need support.
Thin bulbs every 3-5 yrs.
Propagation: from seed: easy with fresh seed in fall. Three years to flower
by bulbs: easy
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 8, 18
1/29/11
* Native to CA but not to Western L.A. Co.
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