woodland wildflower
Glacier Lily
Erythronium grandiflorum
Also known as Yellow Avalanche-lily, Yellow Fawn-lily, Yellow Dogtooth Violet
1 of 2Native to California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming and southern Canada
Northern California to Colorado, north to southern British Columbia and Alberta
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 3–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 18 in to 46 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and evenly moist soil. Its red and yellow flowers peak in June. At up to 18 in, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.
Growing conditions
Hardiness zones
When it blooms
The Glacier Lily's red and yellow flowers bloom March to July, peaking in June. This early-summer display draws bees and butterflies.
Glacier Lily blooms red & yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Black-tailed Bumble Bee
also Western Honey Bee, Two-form Bumble Bee, Yellow-fronted Bumble Bee +1 more
Dimple-cheeked Miner Bee - Butterflies Canadian Tiger Swallowtail also Sheridan's Hairstreak
- Flower flies Large-tailed Aphideater
- Also visited by
- Moths: Western White-Ribboned Carpet
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming and southern CanadaUnited States (8): CA, CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY. Canada (1): AB. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Northern California to Colorado, north to southern British Columbia and AlbertaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9 · Canadian 0–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 18 in (to 46 cm)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~0 ft (0.1 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- SlowA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Red, YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens May–AugThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.