Calochortus: Mariposa Lilies and their Relatives

by Mary E. Gerritsen, Ron Parsons

With their graceful stance, brilliant colors, and intricate markings, members of the North American genus Calochortus are among the most dazzling bulbous plants in the world. Yet their mostly undeserved reputation for being difficult to grow has kept them from being known and appreciated by the vast majority of gardeners. By presenting detailed history, distribution, habitat, and observations on cultivation for each species, Mary Gerritsen and Ron Parsons aim to raise awareness of these gems of the American West and to bring them into wider horticultural use. The superb photographs, most taken in situ, vividly illustrate the remarkable variation within the genus and sometimes even within species.

220 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[noahmm · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight of a book. An in-depth but beginners welcome look at a truly wonderful group of plants full of stunning color photos and historical information on the entirety of the genus. This book is full of great information that I don’t think would be easy to find otherwise, all in one convenient place. The authors take you from the original collections of the species to their habits in the wild as well as include useful tips on growing them in the garden. A must-have for Calochortus fanciers!