Description

The “fairy lanterns” are grouped together under the subsection Pulchelli in the Calochortus genus. They are characterized by, among other things, pendent globe shaped flowers. As the name implies, the Mt. Diablo fairy lantern is endemic to Mt. Diablo in Contra Costa County, CA. There it can be found on hillsides among oaks and shrubs, often growing in partial shade. The size of the leaves and flowers, along with the lemon yellow flower color lend this globe lily a dramatic appearance. Mt. Diablo fairy lantern prefers deep, gritty, fertile soil of at least medium drainage. Like all Calochortus, it must be kept dry during the summer. This species is slow to flower. Our current bulb set has grown for four seasons and not yet flowered, though the bulbs are quite large.