Dipterostemon capitatus ssp. capitatus is generally the first Themicaceae species to bloom in our region. The early blooming forms of this species that grow wild on our El Dorado County farm generally have their first open flowers around 20 March (elevation 1,500 feet – 457 meters). Peak bloom is about mid-April. I have kept phenological data on the commencement of the blooming each year for many years. Although the beginning of the blooming season can vary considerably--especially during warm, dry winters--when averaged out the typical date for the first flowers has advanced only slightly, by 1 or 2 days at the most, over past 3 decades. The early blooming forms of this species cultivated at our Sacramento home (elevation 25 feet, 8 meters) begin blooming about 10 to 14 days earlier than at our El Dorado County farm.
On our El Dorado County farm, the typical flower form of Dipterostemon capitatus ssp. capitatus consists of a dark purple bract from which 5 to 7 blue, occasionally white, bell-shaped flowers emerge.
Especially attractive forms of this species have intensely dark purple bracts and 7 to 12 flowers per scape. Forms with flowers that do not fade to light blue as they mature and maintain a rich blue coloration are desirable.
We have been working on selecting improved forms of Dipterostemon capitatus ssp. capitatus at our Sacramento home.
The first F1 intra-specific hybrids of this species, with the goal to achieve darkly pigmented flowers, are blooming for the first time this season. The open flowers of these hybrids hold a medium blue pigmentation as they mature. The pigmentation of the bracts sorts independently from the flowers. Some scapes have green bracts others deep purple bracts.
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