Description

Houndstongue is native to the lower foothills of the Sierra and coastal mountains from San Luis Obispo County north into Oregon. It is common in shady areas of woodlands and chaparral. The wide, dark leaves grow from the taproot in winter. In early spring a flower stock rises above the foliage with flowers of blue to lavender. This makes for an attractive display in a shady portion of the garden, especially if multiple plants are grown together. After about a month the flowers fade and large rough seeds develop. The seeds may produce volunteers the following year if houndstongue is grown in its native range. With the warm weather of late spring and summer, houndstongue should be allowed to go dormant. No water should be given at this time. Some excellent companion plants are soaproot, Chlorogalum pomeridianum, Diogenes lantern, Calochortus amabilis, Mt. Diablo fairy lantern, Calochortus pulchellus, California buttercup, Ranunculus californicus, all of which require summer dormancy.