Description

Catalina mariposa lily grows from just about sea level to the lower foothills of coastal mountains from Santa Barbara County to San Diego County. Catalina Island is one of several Channel Islands it calls home. It prefers open grasslands, so its numbers have been diminished by urbanization. It fills the same niche as the clay mariposa, Calochortus argillosus, and superb mariposa, Calochortus superbus, in other parts of the state. An excellent place to enjoy this mariposa in the wild is the Figueroa Mountains in Santa Barbara County. The spring flowers are nearly pure white with maroon centers and a violet blush on the outer petals. Plant this lovely bulb in a sunny spot with well draining soil, withholding all summer irrigation. If grown in a pot, protection from winter cold (under 30F?) may be a good idea.