Rainy Days & Cat's Ears

Another big rain storm hit today, making gardening all but impossible. The joys of Spring in Oregon - potting up more dahlia tubers will have to wait! During one of the calm moments between downpours I did managed to sneak in a short walkabout.

In three different area on our property I found large, healthy populations of Cat's Ears. Cat's Ears is one of the common names for "Calochortus Tolmiei". This member of the Lily family blooms in the months of May & June. It is found growing in poor soil on grassy hillsides & open, coniferous woods. Its range is from California up to Washington.

Each plant has a slim basel leaf with with a smaller leaf farther up the stem. Until the plants bloom, they are close to impossible to pick out amongst all the grasses in the meadows. Each plant has a solitary bloom or a cluster of bell shaped flowers.  Each bloom is white to pale purple and are bearded inside with long hairs. We are so lucky to have three large groups of these plants to enjoy every Spring.