Camassias: how to care for and grow

By Abigail Whyte

Published: Tuesday, 03 May 2022 at 12:00 am

Camassias are hardy, bulbous perennials that are really versatile and can be used for a variety of planting schemes, including in mixed and herbaceous borders, meadows and wildflower areas; alongside streams, riverbanks, ponds and woodland edges; or in containers.

Camassias are native to the damp meadowlands of North America where Camassias quamash was once grown as a foodstuff by Native Americans. The six predominantly blue, species range in height from the statuesque Camassias leichtlinii (1.2m) to the squatter Camassias quamash (30cm). Myriad blue tones range from deepest-indigo Camassias quamash ‘Orion’ to denim-blue Camassias leichtlinii ‘Blue Candle’.

Somewhere in between the starry-eyed singles and full doubles are gently ruffled blooms such as Camassias leichtlinii ‘Harlequin’. Delicate-pink Camassias leichtlinii ‘Pink Star’ is a rare, more recent phenomenon. Strap-like foliage is finer, more grass-like, on smaller specimens and a few have variegated leaves, such as Camassias quamash ‘Blue Melody,’ and Camassias leichtlinii ‘Sacajawea’.

How to grow camassias

Where to grow camassias

For best results, grow them in reliably moist soil and introduce a little shade if possible to ensure that the flowers hold longer. Water in their dormant period (July to December) if there are prolonged dry periods.

When to plant camassia bulbs

Plant dry bulbs out in autumn (September to November) in a damp, dappled site, 20cm deep or roughly two to three times their own depth and 6-10cm apart. Water in well. If they don’t flower, they’re too dry or overcrowded and ready for splitting.

Divide established clumps in July to August as new tips can start to emerge from September onwards. Replant at the same depth as the original clump. No need to feed.

When do camassias flower?

Flowering begins around mid to late April with Camassias leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii Caerulea Group and culminates some eight to ten weeks later with starbursts of Camassias leichtlinii ‘Semiplena’ in late May to June.