Helping You Become a More Successful Gardener
Plant Search
Jesse Saylor
Liliaceae
Camassia cusickii
Camassia, Quamash
Native to meadows and pine forests of northeastern Oregon and central Ohio, this hardy bulbous perennial bears steepled clusters of starry flowers atop tall leafless stems in late spring. The pale lilac-blue blooms have six pointed segments. As they wither the segments do not clasp the seed capsule, as do those of Camassia leichtlinii. The clumps of strap-shaped, keeled, bright green leaves go dormant in summer. The leaves and flower stalks grow from large bulbs with dark tunics. The cultivar 'Zwanenburg' has dark blue flowers.
Plant the bulbs three times as deep as they are wide. They grow and flower best in full to partial sun in well-drained, humus-rich soil. Though this plant prefers steady moisture in late winter and spring it dislikes wet soil and tolerates summer drought. Narrow in stature, it looks best when planted in groups. Given favorable conditions and left undisturbed, this camas persists and increases for years. Pair it with plants such as hardy geranium that will cover the withering leaves.
8 - 1
3 - 8
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
Full Sun, Partial Sun
36"-56" / 91.4cm - 142.2cm
4"-6" / 10.2cm - 15.2cm
Late Spring, Early Summer
Northwestern United States
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Loam
Drought
Medium
Average Water
Upright/Erect
Spring, Summer
Showy
Blue, Violet, Ivory
Brown
Green
No
Single
Matte
Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
© 2006-2012 Preferred Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
