The violet patches on the three petals of the mariposa lily serve as nectar guides to its many pollinators, especially beetles. Photo by Gene Yates. A member of the lily family, white mariposa lily grows from a perennial bulb with a single grass-like stem up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall bearing 1-5 flowers.The flower features three large white petals each with a prominent purple blotch in the center.hoto by Gene Yates. A member of the lily family, white mariposa lily grows from a perennial bulb with a single grass-like stem up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall bearing 1-5 flowers. The flower features three large white petals each with a prominent purple blotch in the center.
After the leaves are dead you can cut them back and just leave the bulbs until next year when many will bloom again. High quality bulbs should come back for about 3 years, but they do get weaker year after year. I would like to receive my spring bloomers (like tulips, daffodils, etc) in spring/summer.
A The sooner you get them in the ground, the better. Daffodils, hyacinths and smaller bulbs such as crocus, grape hyacinth and Siberian squill do best when you plant them by mid- to late October. Tulips tolerate late planting better, but it's still best to get them in as soon as possible. Be sure to water the bulbs after you plant them and then about once a week until the ground freezes, unless we have regular rain. Watering is important because bulbs need to start growing roots this fall in order to make it through winter. Once the soil freezes, mulch the bulbs with several inches of straw or leaves.