Brodiaea minor
Chester lily
A cormous perennial, to 30cm tall, usually shorter, with narrow, strap-shaped basal leaves in spring, and loose umbels of star-shaped, purple-blue flowers in early summer
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Neutral, Alkaline, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Purple | |||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Tufted
- Genus
Brodiaea are deciduous perennials growing from a corm, with linear basal leves often shrivelling by flowering time, and loose umbels of funnel-shaped flowers in spring or summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- USA (California)
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant 8cm deep in autumn in light, sandy, fertile soil. Shelter from frosts and excessive winter wet. Ideal for an alpine house or bulb frame. In containers, use a well-drained mix of peat-free John Innes and horticultural grit
Propagation
Propagate by separating corms when dormant in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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