A much-loved, cute, little wildflower in the lily family, Tolmie’s cats ear is so adorable that it is sure to catch the eye of hikers and passerbys. This perennial wildflower grows from a bulb and produces a slender, sometimes-branched stem that generally grows 4″-12″ tall. At the base of the stem is a long, slender leaf that persists during flowering. The open, bell-shaped flower has white to pale pink or light purple petals that are very hairy on the inner surface, which some people think resembles a cat’s ear.
Native range: Pacific Northwest; west and east of Cascades; open meadows & dry slopes; lowlands to montane
Wildlife Benefit: Native bees; specialist pollinators; low competition nectarGermination Code: F
Covers 1 square foot.
Calochortus tolmiei, Tolmie's cats ear seed
Germination Codes Explained
A: No special treatment needed; sow in warm soil.
B: Hot water treatment to break hard coats, or can be scarified (nicked/rubbed).
C(#): Cold, moist stratification (like winter) for # days; sow in fall or mimic by refrigerating seeds.
D: Warm-then-cold or alternating cycles; mimics double dormancy.
E: Cannot dry out; sow immediately in moist conditions.
F: Two years to germinate; sow outside in fall for second-year sprouting.
G (or 7): Soak large seeds overnight in water.
H (or 6): Scarification (abrade seed coat) before planting.
C (Light): Surface sow, needs light to germinate.
1: Needs darkness.
2: Needs light/surface sow.