Did you know that IBG has two globally rare species in our plant collection? Both came to us because their populations were going to be destroyed and the “rescued” bulbs and rhizomes needed a new home. Aase’s onion Allium aaseae bulbs were planted in 2006 after being salvaged from county lands slated for landfill expansion. The entire range of this species is in southwest Idaho, where it grows on deep sandy soils in about 4 counties. Flowering is in March and April. You can see it in the Lewis and Clark Native Plant Garden.

McFarlane’s four o’clock Mirabilis macfarlanei occurs in Hell’s Canyon and a few small populations along the Salmon River, but its entire global range is in just 2-3 counties. This stunning beauty is extremely deep rooted and long-lived. Rhizomes were salvaged and planted here at several different occasions over the last 20 years. McFarlane’s four o’clock flowers in the Western Waterwise Garden in May and June.

You can learn more about both species at Idaho Fish and Game


Allium aaseae


Mirabilis macfarlanei