Babylon Brodiaea
Brodiaea californica 'Babylon'
Care
full sun, part shade
very low
Fast, Medium, Slow
0–2ft tall
Mar-Aug
Resistant
Friendly
Prized
Corms roasted or boiled; traditional California Indigenous food.
Cultivar of native Brodiaea; wild species occurs in central California grasslands and oak savannas.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Babylon Brodiaea in full sun in a location with fast to medium drainage - soggy soil is its enemy. You can plant in spring or fall, spacing plants about 6 inches apart. This California native is tough and unfussy about soil as long as water doesn't pool around the bulbs, so amend heavy clay with compost or sand if needed.
After Planting
Water very sparingly once established; this plant thrives on neglect and actually prefers dry conditions. The biggest mistake Bay Area gardeners make is overwatering - resist the urge to coddle it. Expect blooms from March through August, and let the foliage die back naturally after flowering as the bulb stores energy underground for next year's show.
Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
California endemic kangaroo rat
Wildlife Supported
Mammals
primary seed resource in California grassland habitats; stored in burrows
nocturnal seed collection and storage Oct-Dec in desert grassland habitats
emerging shoots and bulb foliage consumed during spring growth Mar-May
Birds
primary seed consumption Sep-Nov during post-breeding period
Insects
larvae and adults forage in Brodiaea patches for herbivorous insects Apr-Jun
secondary nectar source during bloom period in restored grasslands
early spring colony establishment pollen and nectar source when blooming