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 nectar
Germination 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.