Dichelostemma congestum

RHS Plant Profile

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Synonyms

Dichelostemma pulchellum
Brodiaea congesta

Bulbs Herbaceous Perennial

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A perennial to 90cm tall, with narrow, grassy foliage that dies down as the flowers open; tubular lilac-blue flowers 2cm long open in a comapct raceme in early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or West–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

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Dichelostemma are cormous perennials with narrow, grassy foliage and umbels or racemes of tubular or narrowly bell-shaped flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: W USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant 10cm deep in autumn, in well-drained soil in full sun. Keep warm and dry after flowering

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or remove offsets in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free