Calochortus lilacinus Cupido

Calochortus lilacinus 'Cupido' (synonym Calochortus uniflorus) is a small Californian bulbous plant with soft pink spring flowers. Rarely available for sale, this plant is quite delicate to grow in the ground: its growth is winter-based, its flowering is fairly early in spring, and then the bulb goes dormant in summer in a soil that must remain dry. Well adapted to the Mediterranean climate, this Calochortus Cupido thrives in rockeries or in a sunny border where it will gradually expand and faithfully flower each year. Elsewhere, you can plant the bulbs in a pot to keep them dry during the summer dormancy period, and in a cold greenhouse in winter.

Calochortus lilacinus 'Cupido' belongs to the lily family, just like tulips and lilies, to which it bears a resemblance. This botanical species is native to the western part of North America (Oregon, California), in semi-arid regions with a Mediterranean climate that is wet in winter and dry in summer. There, it is found in meadows that are slightly moist in winter and early spring, always in well-drained soil. It is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows from a bulb. Flowering occurs from late March to April, depending on the climate. The winter growth consists of long, narrow, bright green leaves resembling grass. The flower stems are erect, 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16in) tall, and unbranched. At the end of each stem, a flower in the shape of a cup measuring 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter blooms. Each flower is composed of 3 large rounded petals, pearly pale pink in colour, surrounding blue anthers. After flowering, in early summer, the foliage dries up and the plant goes dormant. The Calochortus lilacinus bulb can withstand occasional freezing temperatures, but it cannot tolerate humidity during the dormant period. The mother bulb produces numerous small bulblets at the base of the flower stem.

Calochortus lilacinus 'Cupido' is easy to grow in Mediterranean regions, where it brings colour to rockeries from the first sunny days. You can plant it in small groups of 10 among shrubs in the scrubland, along with botanical tulips and narcissus that bloom at the same time. It is also a lovely plant to grow in a pot to enhance the terrace or balcony in spring. To accompany it, consider Felicia, Gazania, or Cape Daisies (Osteospermum), other beautiful South African plants that thrive in the same growing conditions.