Calochortus kennedyi

Common Names

Desert Mariposa Lily, Kennedy's Mariposa Lily, Red Mariposa Lily, Desert Mariposa, Flame Mariposa

Summary

Desert mariposa lily is a bulbous perennial native to deserts of the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with slender, usually unbranching stems up to 6–18 inches tall and basal waxy leaves that wither at flowering; an inflorescence bears 1–6 erect bell-shaped flowers with three sepals and three petals, colors yellow, orange, or red with a brown-purple base blotch and a large dark basal spot; bloom occurs March–June in open desert habitats such as creosote bush scrub, desert grasslands, and rocky slopes at elevations around 2000–4500 ft.

In cultivation it prefers full sun to partial shade and dry, well-drained soils with very low to moderate water; hardy in USDA zones 7a–10b; propagation by seed (direct sow in fall) or bulbs, with bulbs planted 8–10 cm deep; it is ornamental in desert landscapes, rock gardens, and xeriscapes and attracts native bees and bee flies.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

8-20 inches

Spread

4-6 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade, with some afternoon shade in hot summers.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil.

Soil pH

6.5-7.5, Neutral to mildly alkaline

Bloom Color

Orange to red

Bloom Time

Spring to early Summer

Foliage Color

Gray-green, glaucous

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators