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Blue Dips

Dichelostemma capitatum

geophyte View on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun

Water

very low

Soil

Fast; sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soils.

Size

1–2ft tall , 0–1ft wide

Bloom

Mar-May

Foliage

Deciduous

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Edible

Corms roasted or boiled; traditional California Indigenous food.

Native Range

Widespread throughout central and southern California grasslands, oak savannas, and chaparral below 3000 ft elevation.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant Blue Dips in full sun in a spot with fast-draining soil - sandy or coarse-grained soil is ideal. They bloom March through May, so plant in fall or early winter to establish before flowering. Space them in drifts for impact, as these are small bulbs (1-2 feet tall). They're native to the Bay Area and surrounding regions, so they'll appreciate conditions similar to their natural habitat.

After Planting

Water moderately during the growing season and keep the soil moist through summer. Once established, Blue Dips need very little water - they're drought-tolerant and prefer drier conditions, so hold back on watering after bloom ends and the foliage yellows. These are deciduous bulbs that go dormant in summer; this is completely normal and not a sign something is wrong. The biggest mistake is overwatering or planting in heavy clay soil where water sits around the bulbs, which causes rot.

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