Plant Guide: Triteleia

This attractive bulbous plant is native to California and Oregon. There is disagreement about the correct name; the plant is often listed as Brodiaea and sometimes as Dichelostemma. T. laxa is the most popular form. The flower stems are 45–60 cm long and the strap-shaped leaves grow to about 30 cm high. The star-shaped flowers are borne in loose umbels and are pale to violet-blue in colour; the most popular cultivar, 'Queen Fabiola', has darker purple-blue flowers with a pale centre. The foliage dies back in spring as the plant flowers, and the corms rest from midsummer until winter.

GROWING CONDITIONS

Position A light, sunny and sheltered spot is required.

Location Grow this plant in the flower border or in pots. Make sure the soil is light and well-draining; Triteleia cannot tolerate waterlogged soil. If you garden on heavy soil, it's better to grow the plant in pots with a sandy potting mix.

GROWING

Planting Plant the corms in autumn, 7.5–10 cm deep and 10–15 cm apart.

Feeding Once the flower buds appear, you can apply some fertiliser, though extra feeding is usually not needed. Plants in pots can be given liquid plant food every 14 days. Watering is generally not necessary; let the soil dry out while the corms are dormant during summer.

Problems As far as is known, this plant has no specific problems.

FLOWERING

Season Flowers from early to mid-summer.

Cutting An excellent cut flower that stays fresh for a long time in a vase.

AFTER FLOWERING

Care Once the flowers have finished, you can cut off the flower stems or leave them to set seed. Established plants dislike disturbance, so leave the corms in the ground.

AT A GLANCE

Delicate umbels of tubular blue flowers on slender stems, flowering at the height of summer. Well-draining soil is essential.

Recommended varieties:

• Triteleia hyacinthina
• Triteleia ixioides
• Triteleia laxa: 'Queen Fabiola'
• Triteleia peduncularis