Camassia cusickii

Description

Camassia cusickii – quamash

Botanical name: Camassia cusickii
Common names: Quamash, cusick’s camas
Family: Asparagaceae
Plant type: Bulbous perennial
Habit: Upright, with tall flower spikes
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 60–80cm tall × 20cm spread
Foliage: Strap-shaped green leaves that die back after flowering; deciduous
Flowers: Tall spikes of numerous starry, pale steel-blue flowers in late spring to early summer (May–June)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Fertile, moist, moisture-retentive; tolerates heavier and damp soils, unlike most bulbs; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Sheltered or open
Native range: Species native to North America
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Camassia cusickii is an elegant bulbous perennial with tall spikes of starry pale steel-blue flowers in late spring. Superb for naturalising in grass and damp meadows, and for early height in moist borders.

GardenAdvice notes

A beautiful and easy bulbous perennial, camassia (or quamash) produces tall, elegant spikes of starry flowers in late spring and early summer, above strap-shaped foliage. Unusually for a bulb, it thrives in heavier, moisture-retentive and even damp soils, which makes it superb for naturalising in grass and damp meadows, as well as in borders, where its tall flower spikes add valuable early height and grace.

Growing & planting

Plant in autumn or spring in fertile, moisture-retentive soil in full sun to partial shade — unlike most bulbs it tolerates heavier and damp ground, so it is excellent in a damp border or naturalised in grass and meadows. Space appropriately for its size. Water while establishing.

Care & maintenance

Very low-maintenance. Allow the foliage to die down naturally after flowering, as it feeds the bulb for next year — if naturalised in grass, delay the first cut until the leaves have yellowed. Leave the seed heads for interest and gentle self-seeding, or remove them. Established clumps can be lifted and divided when congested.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide congested clumps, separating the bulbs, after the foliage dies down.
• Seed: Can be raised from seed and often self-seeds gently, though seedlings take a few years to flower.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free and easy, tolerating conditions that defeat many bulbs. Rarely troubled by pests or diseases in a suitable moist, sunny spot.

Uses in the garden

Superb naturalised in grass, damp meadows and orchard grass, and in moist borders, where its tall spikes of starry flowers bring valuable height and grace in late spring and early summer; the seed heads are attractive too.

Wildlife value

The flowers are a valuable late-spring source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects.

Toxicity & safety

Camassia is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

Camassia cusickii carries generous spikes packed with starry pale blue flowers in late spring — lovely for early height in a moist border or naturalised in grass. Like all camassias it’s brilliantly useful because, unlike most bulbs, it’s happy in heavier, damper soil; just let the foliage die back naturally after flowering to feed the bulb for next year.

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