Calochortus nuttallii (Sego Lily)

Bursting from dry soils like jewels, Calochortus nuttallii (Sego Lily) is a charming perennial bulb boasting one to three large, white to lavender-blue, tulip-like flowers atop erect, slender stems from late spring to late summer. The delicate blossoms, up to 3 in. across (7 cm), feature 3 large satiny petals with yellow bases and red markings, and three narrower sepals. Growing from an onion-like bulb, it produces gray-green, grass-like, basal leaves which wither as the season progresses. Native to the drier regions of the American West, Sego Lily is the official state flower of Utah. Threatened in much of its range, it is protected and may not be picked or transplanted from the wild. Although Sego Lilies grow wild, they can be grown in a home garden as long as their requirements are met.

• Grows up to 10-20 in. high (25-50 cm) and 6-9 in. wide (15-22 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in sandy or loamy, dry, well-drained soils. Requires almost no water and tolerates very little rain. Drought tolerant.
• Bulbs must be kept completely dry from mid-summer to late fall.
• Keep an eye out for gophers and rodents, which may eat your bulbs.
• Plant your bulbs with this end down 3-4 in. deep (7-10 cm) and 6 in. apart (15 cm).
• Propagate by fall-sown seed. Corms reach maturity in 3-5 years.
• Native to Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.