Brodiaea minor

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Chester lily

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Synonyms

Brodiaea grandiflora var. minor
Brodiaea purdyi

Bulbs
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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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand, Loam, Chalk

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam Chalk
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline or Acid

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical 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