Gardening with California Native Bulbs, Corms & Rhizomes

Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) -  a small native Iris.
Mother Nature's Backyard, Gardena CA.

Much can be said for garden bulbs.  They come up year after year, a welcome spot of color in the spring or summer garden.  They spread and naturalize, turning a small initial investment into something spectacular (if you’re patient). Many bulbs are relatively easy to grow.   And there’s something enchanting about a perennial that dies back to the ground, then re-appears, as if by magic, in the spring.

Swath of Goldenstars (Bloomeria crocea)
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

 

Many California gardeners don’t realize that California is home to over 200 species of native bulbs, corms and rhizomatous perennials.  While many native bulbs can be found in coastal areas and in the mountains and foothills, most parts of California – even the deserts – are home to at least a few species.  Happily, more species are showing up in local gardens each year.

 

Example of California native true bulb: Calachortus species

 

The perennials known as ‘garden bulbs’ actually belong to three different groups: those with true bulbs, those from corms and those from reproductive rhizomes.  True bulbs are short, underground stems, complete with fleshy leaf scales and an embryonic plant.  The energy for next year’s growth is stored in the leaf scales; the plant survives harsh environmental conditions (cold and/or dry) in a dormant state. Onions are a good example of true bulbs.  The rings you see when you cut an onion are the leaf scales; the embryonic plant is in the center.

True bulbs die back to the same bulb each year.  They reproduce by seed and by producing offsets (bulblets or bulbils) that are usually clustered at the base of the mother bulb.  True bulbs are among the most beloved garden treasures; some – like the onions - are also important edibles.  Common examples of plants from true bulbs are Amaryllis, Narcissus/Daffodil, Allium (Onions), Lily and Tulip.  Additional genera from California include: Calochortus (mariposa lily), Camassia (camas lily), Chlorogalum (soap lily) and Fritillaria (fritillary).

Example of California native corm: Dichelostemma

 

Perennials from corms also store energy in an underground stem base during the dormant season. But you won’t find any rings when you cut open a corm – they’re solid!  The corm is truly a food storage device, and corm-forming perennials produce a new one each year – one on top of the other.  You will sometimes see the remnants of many old, used-up corms on an old plant.  

Like the true bulbs, corm-forming perennials reproduce both by seed and by producing offsets, called ‘cormels’ (tiny corms).  Many plants from corms are popular garden perennials.  Among the better known are the so-called ‘Autumn Bulbs’: Gladiolus, Crocus, Crocosmia, Colchicum, Freesia and Watsonia.  Several important food plants – including plantain/banana and taro – are corms.  California is home to additional corm-producing genera including Bloomeria (goldenstar), Brodiaea, Dichelostema (wild hyacinth), Erythronium (fawn lily), Odontostomum (doll lily) and Triteleia. 

California native rhizome: Sisyrinchium

 

True bulbs and corms can be kept cool and dry, then shipped dormant to your door.  Not so the plants from reproductive rhizomes.  These are almost always purchased as young plants, since the actual rhizomes have a short shelf-life.  Rhizomes are horizontal, underground stems; the reproductive/dormancy types are thickened for food storage.  A good example is the Bearded Iris.   The Douglas iris (sometimes called ‘Pacifica Iris’) and the Sisyrinchium species (Blue-eyed grass; Yellow-eyed grass) and Epipactis (stream orchids) are good examples of natives from rhizomes.

 



Bloom time is coordinated with pollinators: Umber Skipper
 on Wild hyacinth (AKA Bluedicks)  (Dichelostemma capitatum)

 

When do native bulbs, corms and rhizomes bloom?

Because we live in a mediterranean climate, many California species bloom in spring or early summer.   That allows them to bloom, set seeds and store energy  before the long dry season commences in earnest.   But there are some ‘bulb’ species that bloom very early (February) and other which are later (July or even later).  In general, those from Northern California and from higher elevations tend to bloom later than those native to the S. California lowlands and deserts. 

 

Garden bulbs begin to grow, flower and set seeds partly in reaction to environmental cues.  California species often begin growing when the ground becomes moist in winter or early spring.  Others need warmer temperatures, or a certain length of cold exposure, to commence growing or flowering.

Because environmental conditions vary from year to year, the timing of bloom can only be approximate.  Additional factors which may influence timing in individual gardens are sun exposure and whether plants are grown in pots or in the ground.  But here are some rules of thumb for common native bulbs, corms and rhizomes in lower elevation S. California gardens.

 

Bloom time	Genera
Early (Feb-Mar)	Dichelostema/Wild Hyacinth (especially S. California ones) Allium (S. California lower elevation types) Sisyrinchium begins Early Calochortus (desert and S. California species)
Mid-Spring (Apr-May)	Allium (N. Coastal and higher elevation onions) Bloomeria/Goldenstars Calochortus Camassia/Camas lilies Chlorogalum/Soap lilies Iris (native ‘Pacifica’ or Douglas Iris) Sisyrinchium Tritelias
Later (June or later)	Brodieae Epipactis/Stream orchids Lilies Tritelias (if not earlier)

 

Meadow onion (Allium unifolium)

 

When should I plant native garden bulbs?

Native bulbs and corms should be planted as soon as the ground softens up in late fall/early winter.   Natives from rhizomes are also best planted during to cool, wet season.   Here is a typical calendar for managing native ‘garden bulbs’:

          Summer – order bulbs or seeds from reputable sources (see below)

          Fall – bulbs shipped/rhizomatous plants purchased

Early winter – plant bulbs/corms; plant out rhizomatous plants.

Winter/spring – many native ‘bulbs’ emerge, grow and flower. Give dose of ½ strength fertilizer to bulbs grown in pots in winter.

Spring/summer – many native ‘bulbs’ set seed; foliage dies back.  Begin to withhold water as foliage dies back or flowering commences (whichever comes first).  Collect or scatter dry seeds.  Cut back dry flower stalks; let leaves remain attached if possible.

          Summer/fall – native bulbs/corms/rhizomes are dormant

 

Many California native bulbs and corms do well in pots.

 

Can I grow native garden bulbs in pots?

Yes, in fact that’s a good way to use native ‘bulbs’ to best advantage.  Pots can be ‘retired for the season’ during the dormant period.  And pots are one of the best ways to multiply rare bulbs and corms, prior to planting out in the garden.

The best containers for native bulbs are at least 8 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter.  This will allow space for bulbs to increase for 3-4 years without replanting.  We prefer unglazed clay pots, but most pots will do, as long as bulbs can be summer dry.

One way to feature bulbs for seasonal color is to use the old cache pot trick; plant the bulbs in an inner pot, which can then be removed and replaced as the season requires. 

We let our potted bulbs bloom and set seed, collect the seed (or scatter in the pot), then move the pot to a cool, dry place until late fall.  At that time we add a layer of fresh potting soil, expose the pots to the winter rains, and away we go.  There’s no need to remove the bulbs from the pot each year. 

 

Douglas Iris - Madrona Marsh Nature Center
Torrance CA

 

Do I need to dig up native garden bulbs each year?

No.  The reliable ‘bulbs’ (recommend below) do fine (in a pot or in the ground) for at least 3-4 years without digging them up.  If flowers become less profuse – or pots appear crowded – then you will need to dig up ‘bulbs’ and replant. This is often more of an issue with pot-grown plants – but those in the ground may also become over-crowded.  Native Californians harvested most of the edible bulbs and corms every third year, keeping wild resources productive. That’s a good rule of thumb for the home gardener as well.

 

Pot-grown bulbs and corms can be dug up anytime from late summer through fall.  We just dump the whole pot out, then sift through the potting soil to find ‘bulbs’ of all sizes.  We repot the largest in fresh potting soil and pot up the smaller ones in new pots (you can place the smaller ones about ½ inch apart).

If growing the rhizomatous species, divide the rhizomes as you would a bearded Iris.  You don’t need to be too gentle - just be sure that there’s a new shoot on each piece. Smaller bulbs and corms may take several years to get to a size where they will bloom.  Divided rhizomes usually bloom the first or second year.

Bulbs, corms and rhizomes grown in the ground are a bit more of a challenge.  If the dry ground is hard, you may have to wait for the first good rain to soften the soil.  Then get out, dig up and replant the ‘bulbs’ to give them room to thrive.

 



 What’s the trick to watering native garden bulbs?

Like all perennials, native bulbs, corms and rhizomes need adequate winter and spring moisture.  If we have a dry winter/spring, you’ll need to supplement after the ‘bulbs’ begin to grow and until either: 1) the leaves start to yellow, or; 2) flowering commences. After that, plants need less water.  Taper off water as the plants flower, the flowers wilt and the seeds develop.

Being from a mediterranean climate, most California native bulbs, corms and rhizomes need a dry, dormant period from summer through fall.  That being said, plants from climates that get a little summer rain – or grow near lakes and streams - are more tolerant of summer water than those from summer-dry Southern California. 

Native ‘bulbs’ from Northern California, as well as those that experience summer monsoons (including those from the Sonoran desert, Southern San Diego County and the local mountains) will accept occasional summer water.  Emphasis is on ‘occasional’ – native bulbs need a dry period and are susceptible to rotting if over-watered.  

The best strategy is to either plant the more tolerant species – or plant local species in areas that can be kept summer dry (or nearly so).  If you don’t have a summer-dry area, grow the natives in a pot. 

 

Ripe seed ready for scattering or collecting.

 

Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) from seed.

 

Can I grow native garden bulbs from seed?

Yes.  In fact many are easy to grow from fresh seed.  If you want to naturalize, just scatter seeds in the garden (or into the pot with the bulbs) and they’ll take care of themselves.  You can also collect the dry seeds, store in a cool dry place (we put them in envelopes in a cool room), and plant them in the late fall.

Stored seeds can be started in pots in late fall or winter.  Nearly fill a pot with potting medium (not garden soil), scatter fresh seeds in the prepared pot, cover lightly with a little extra potting soil, water in and place in a place where pots are watered by rains.  A partly shady place is best and you may need to supplement the rains.  Tiny seedlings look like grass (see above) and are very susceptible to drying out.

If using purchased seed (or seeds from colder climates) you may need to pre-treat the seeds in S. California.  Follow the grower’s directions or give the seeds 4-6 weeks cool moist treatment (we use a moist coffee filter, in an open plastic bag in the refrigerator).

We let our pots of small seedlings slowly dry out mid-spring, place pots in a cool dry place for summer/fall, then bring them out again in winter.  It will take plants grown from seed 3-4 years to reach flowering size.  We recommend repotting the bulbs in the fall after the third growing season.

 

In Mother Nature's Backyard we let bulbs naturalize from seed.

 

Do I need to dig or amend the soil prior to planting native garden bulbs?

Nope.  If planting them in the ground, all you need is a hole as wide as the bulb and 3 times as deep (or at least 3 inches).  The reliable native bulbs don’t need lots of amendments or babying – that’s one of the joys of gardening with them.

If growing the native bulbs in pots, just add a layer (1-2 inches) of fresh potting soil to the top of the pot each fall, unless you’re dividing and replanting.  If replanting, start out with fresh potting soil.

 

 

Peninsular onion (Allium peninsulare) - showy
 California native bulb





Where can I purchase native garden bulbs?

Fortunately, some of the best sources for bulbs, corms and seeds are mail order.  Be sure to get your order in early (summer) before some of the choicest species are sold out.  Here are our recommended sources:

1. Teleos Rare Bulbs – best source for CA natives (including rare) – mail order

2. Theodore Payne Foundation – some native bulbs/corms as plants or propagules
3. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden - some native bulbs/corms as plants or propagules
4. Project SOUND – CSUDH – limited number of bulbs/corms and rhizome plants in fall
5. Larner Seeds – CA native plant seed; mail order
6. Seedhunt – CA native plant seed; mail order
7. Fraser’s Thimble Farms – native and non-native; mail order
8. John Scheepers/Van Engelen Bulbs – some natives, cultivars; mail order
9. Hedgerow Farms – some native bulbs; mail order
10. Alplains – native seeds; mail order

 

Goldenstars (Bloomeria crocea) are lovely and easy to grow

 

What species do you recommend for the beginning bulb gardener?

Some native bulbs, corms and rhizomes are easier to grow than others.  We recommend the easy species to the beginning gardener.  They are also the ones we rely on for dependable color, year after year, in our own gardens.  Here are our recommendations for lower elevation S. California gardens.

 

Scientific Name	Common Name	Flower/ season	Light*	SummerWater**	Bulb/seed Sources+
Allium dichlamydeum	Coastal Onion	Magenta/Sp	FS/PS	1	1, 3, 4, 7
Allium haematochiton	Red-skin Onion	White-pink/ Sp	FS/PS	1	1, 2, 3, 7, 10
Allium peninsulare	Mexicali Onion	Magenta/ Sp	FS/PS	1	1, 8, 10
Allium unifolium	Meadow Onion	Magenta/ Sp	FS/PS	1-2	1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8
Bloomeria crocea	Golden Stars	Yellow/Sp	FS/PS	1	2, 3
Brodiaea elegans	Harvest Brodiaea	Violet/Sp	FS/PS	1	1, 3, 5, 6
Chlorogalum pomeridianum	Wavyleaf Soap Plant	White/Su	FS/PS	1-2	1, 2, 5, 6
Dichelostemma capitatum	Blue Dicks/Wild Hyacinth	Blue/Sp	FS/PS	1	1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Dichelostemma ida-maia	Firecracker Flower	Red-white/ Sp	PS best	1	1, 3, 8
Dichelostemma multiflorum	Manyflowered Brodiaea	Violet-pink/ Sp	FS	1	1, 2, 3
Iris douglasiana	Douglas iris	Purple/Sp	PS	1 to 2	2, 3, 4, 5
Lilium pardalinum	Leopard Lily	Orange/Sp-Su	PS	2-3 to 3	2, 3, 7
Lilium washingtonianum	Washington Lily	White/Sp-Su	PS	1-2 to 2	9
Sisyrinchium bellum	Western Blue-eyed Grass	Purple/ Sp	FS/PS	1-2 to 2-3	1, 2, 3, 4
Triteleia hyacinthina	White Hyacinth (Brodiaea)	White/Sp	FS/PS	1 or 1-2	1, 3, 5, 7
Tritelia laxa including  ‘Queen Fabiola’	Ithuriel’s Spear	Purple/Sp	FS/PS	1	1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8

*light: FS=full sun  PS=part-shade  FS=full shade      

**summer water: 1=none; 2=occasional; 3=regular water (taper off after blooming/setting seeds for all)

+ see bulb and seed sources above; numbers correspond to the list (e.g. 1+Teleos Rare Bulbs, etc.)

 

Want to learn more?

Here are links to more information on our recommended bulbs, corms and rhizomes:

Scientific Name	Common Name	More information
Allium dichlamydeum	Coastal Onion	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-allium-dichlamydeum
Allium haematochiton	Red-skin Onion	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-allium-haematochiton Photos: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/allium-haematochiton-web-show
Allium peninsulare	Mexicali Onion	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-allium-peninsulare
Allium unifolium	Meadow Onion	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/allium-unifolium Photos: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/allium-unifolium-web-show
Bloomeria crocea	Golden Stars	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-bloomeria-crocea Photos: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/bloomeria-crocea-web-show
Brodiaea elegans	Harvest Brodiaea	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/brodiaea-elegans
Chlorogalum pomeridianum	Wavyleaf Soap Plant	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-chlorogalum-pomeridianum   Photos: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/chlorogalum-pomeridianum-web-show
Dichelostemma capitatum	Blue Dicks/ Wild Hyacinth	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-dichelostemma-capitatum Photos: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/dichelostemma-capitatum-web-show
Dichelostemma ida-maia	Firecracker Flower	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/dichelostemma-ida-maia Photos: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/dichelostema-ida-maia-web-show
Dichelostemma multiflorum	Manyflower Brodiaea	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/dichelostemma-multiflorum
Iris douglasiana	Douglas iris	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/iris-douglasiana Photos: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/iris-douglasiana-web-show
Lilium pardalinum	Leopard Lily	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/lilium-pardalinum
Lilium washingtonianum	Washington Lily	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/lilium-washingtonianum
Sisyrinchium bellum	Western Blue-eyed Grass	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-sisyrinchium-bellum Photos: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/sisyrinchium-bellum-web-show
Triteleia hyacinthina	White Hyacinth (Brodiaea)	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-tritelia-hyacinthina
Tritelia laxa including  ‘Queen Fabiola’	Ithuriel’s Spear	Gardening: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-triteleia-laxa

 

Talk on native garden bulbs (including most of the ‘recommended’ species): http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/native-bulbs-for-california-gardens-2017

 

 

Tiger Swallowtail on Wild hyacinth (Dichelostemma capitatum)
Mother Nature's Backyard

         

 

 

We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: mothernaturesbackyard10@gmail.com