'L. bolanderi' (Lilium)

This rare and dainty beauty is native to the upper regions of the Siskiyou mountain range of Oregon and California. Receiving as much as 100 inches of rainfall per year, the rocky rubble and red clay soil where it is found growing allows water to pass through quickly. Enjoying a more open area, we found it most commonly growing amongst 'Hairy Manzanita' on north facing slopes, protected from the late scorching summer sun. Producing up to six, but sometimes nine, brick-red spotted funnel-shaped flowers, Lilium bolanderi rarely exceeds 18 inches in height. As with most Western dry land species, Lilium bolanderi can be quite challenging in cultivation.

We found the largest colonies of Lilium bolanderi within the boundaries of the Hoopa Indian Reservation in Northern California. Within about a 3 square mile area, five Northern California species overlap. Within these colonies can be found exquisite natural hybrids of these species. Photo is of plant in natural habitat.

Inset photo is of son Doug working his way through the 'Hairy Manzanita' climbing towards his spotted goal of a lone stem of L. bolanderi to capture it on film while keeping in mind the nest of hornets found the previous day.