Dichelostemma congestum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Brodiaea pulchella
- Dichelostemma pulchellum
- Hookera pulchella
- Phonetic Spelling
- dy-kel-oh-STEM-ma kon-JES-tum
- Description
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Fork-Toothed Ookow is a flowering, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the asparagus family native to the mountainous regions and open grassy hillsides of western North America. It has showy blue-purple flowers, with a solitary bloom sitting atop a long stalk with a few grass-like leaves at the base of the plant. The flowering stem is generally curved or twisted (not straight) and the flowers are typically dense and not open. When this wildflower blooms surrounding grasses are maturing and turning brown, thus the plant signals the beginning of summer.
Fork-Toothed Ookow prefers full sun and and is easy to grow in dry, well-drained soil in full sun. However, it is a hardy plant that can tolerate poor soil, shade and drought. The plant will spread in time to form colonies from bulbs or seed. Note that when grown from seed, it can take several months before seedlings appear.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dichelostemma
- Species:
- congestum
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- British Columbia, Washington state to California
- Wildlife Value:
- attracts bees.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Blooms from April to June. Six to fifteen densely-packed small flowers of pale purple to green. Flower stalks can be horizontal or erect.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Tall and thin.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
