white camassia lily Camassia quamash – The Southern Bulb Co

white camassia lily Camassia quamash – The Southern Bulb CoCamassia quamash is a true native wildflower that is the perfect way to bring soft, natural beauty into the late spring garden. Its starry blooms vary in color from a light blue to violet as they rise above grassy foliage just as tulips and daffodils finish, giving you a fresh wave of color right when you need it most. Tough, dependable, and happy to naturalize in meadows or garden beds, it quietly spreads into graceful drifts that return year after

Camassia quamash is a true native wildflower that is the perfect way to bring soft, natural beauty into the late-spring garden. Its starry blooms vary in color from a light blue to violet as they rise above grassy foliage just as tulips and daffodils finish, giving you a fresh wave of color right when you need it most. Tough, dependable, and happy to naturalize in meadows or garden beds, it quietly spreads into graceful drifts that return year after year with very little care.

What to expect: This bulb will put on its foliage in March to prepare for its May/June bloom. The plant grows to about 1 - 2 feet tall and has spikes with several inches of small star-shaped flowers running up and down the spike. Once the flowers are dead, the green foliage will add to your garden for another month or two. Allow the foliage to die back naturally. When it is completely dead, then you can cut if off. Remember, the foliage is what takes in the sun energy to allow the bulbs to make it through the year and produce beautiful blooms the next year. They make lovely cut flowers as the flower shoot is separate from the leaves. Cutting the shoot does not damage the plant itself.

Mulitplying: The Camassia not only muliplies from offshoots, but it also reseeds itself though it will take several years. Camassia does NOT work well in containers. It likes to be left alone once planted.

Sun and Planting Requirements: They need at least 6+ hours of sun from February through June. They do great with full sun but can do well in dappled open shade like on the edge of a wooded area. Plant them about 4 inches deep and 6-8" apart with their pointy end up. These work best in zones 4-8 so they will bloom a little earlier in zone 8 (May) than they will in zone 4. They do best in well-drained soil, but they can tolerate clay as long as they receive good watering. It will also take them longer to multiply in clay soil.

Though they can tolerate wet spring conditions, they do not like to stay wet. Don't plant them in an area that is still wet 5-6 hours after a rain.

Animals: Bees and butterflies are really drawn to this bloom. The Camassia is extremely resistant to deer, voles, and other ground animals.

Fun Facts:

Though we don't recommend it, Native Americans and early settlers would eat the Camassia bulbs.