Fool's Onion Brodiaea

Brodiaea is a genus of herbaceous perennials that grow from corms and includes about 17 species. All are native to California and the adjacent areas of western North America. The genus name commemorates James Brodie (1744–1824), a Scottish botanist who studied ferns and mosses. Note that the name "Brodieae" is commonly misapplied to species in other genera such as Triteleia and Dichelostemma.

The plants can grows to about 20 inches high and display grass-like foliage and bare stems holding a number of blue to purple flowers. In general, they prefer full sun but tolerate up to 25% shade during any given day. It grows best in well-drained soil in full sun. It will tolerate partial sun, but flowering will be limited in shade. It tolerates moist soil and drought, is happy with moist soil in the spring and winter and relative dryness in the summer, and the flowers are fragrant and make good cut flowers. They are not particularly cold hardy, incurring injury at temperatures below 23 degrees F. and would appreciate about 2 inches of mulch over the winter.

There are several species available for garden use. They help extend the bulb blooming season as they bloom in early summer. Use in sunny borders or groups. They are West Coast natives with specific needs, so they are not suitable for growing in the Southeast United States.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:  No known issues.  The NC State Extension Publications list includes a factsheet on the Narcissus Bulb Fly, which is known to frequent this plant.