Description

Tolmie’s star tulip is a member of the Eleganti subsection of the genus, known as cat ears because of the covering of hair on the inner petal surface. The intricately patterned flowers vary widely from population to population but the base color is a consistent shade of lavender. It grows in regions with wet winters from the southern Santa Cruz Mountains into Oregon. It seems to prefer a fairly gritty, well-draining soil, plenty of winter moisture but dry summer conditions. A cool period may be needed to trigger emergence from summer dormancy, and refrigeration may be needed in regions of mild winters. The bulbs are lifted and stored in sealed plastic bags surrounded in peat moss. These are placed in a refrigerator (not freezer!) until roots appear, at which time they may be planted out for another season. Like all Calochortus, Tolmie’s star tulip is a good candidate for growing in a pot.