Camassia quamash

Description

Camassia quamash (syn. esculenta) has vivid bright violet flowers and ideal for growing in grassland or meadows where it will naturalise perfectly. Also known as camas it is native to North America and its beautiful blue flowers appear from late Spring to early Summer. Ideal for naturalising but also great for attracting wildlife such as bees and butterflies to the garden.

Growing Instructions

Camassia are ideal when grown in the poorer areas of the garden or in areas that you wish to leave to naturalise. This group of bulbs are very tough and are happy to be planted in soils that are less than perfect. They will endure soils that are heavy and poorly drained. Can be grown in grassland/meadow land areas or borders of the garden. Leave undisturbed from year to year for the best performance. Do not allow bulbs to dry out during the growing season.

Cultivate soils to a depth of 20cms and plant bulbs 15cms deep and 10-15cms apart. In heavy soils such as clay add grit or humus matter to help with drainage and plant slightly shallower at 10cms deep. In sandy soils add organic matter to help with fertility. They will naturalise really well and after a number of years may need to be divided, at which time lift them when the flowers have died back and re-plant.

Protect early growth in the spring from slugs and snails.  Ideal foods are well rotted manures, grass clippings, tomato feed and bone meal.

Care Tip:

Camassia are ideal to grow with herbaceous plants and early flowering lilies.

They have become very popular in the last few years and can be seen growing in the RHS gardens at Wisley

Growing Information

Flowering Height: 18-20″ (45-50cm)

Flowering Period: June

Aspect: Shady areas and they are also good for naturalising in grassland

Soil type: Free draining soils are ideal but they will also tolerate heavy and poor draining soils.

Planting Depth: 10cms

Planting Distance: 5-10cms

Scented: N/A

New season top quality bulbs dispatched from September on-wards