Cammasia quamash

Description

Camassia quamash – quamash

Botanical name: Camassia quamash
Common names: Quamash, common camas
Family: Asparagaceae
Plant type: Bulbous perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, upright
Pot size: 1 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 60–80cm tall in flower × 10cm spread per bulb
Foliage: Long, strappy green leaves; dies back after flowering
Flowers: Spikes of star-shaped blue flowers, late spring (May–June)
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist but not waterlogged, fertile; tolerates heavier soils; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Sheltered or exposed
Native range: Western North America
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Camassia quamash is a graceful bulb sending up spikes of starry blue flowers in late spring above strappy leaves. It naturalises beautifully in grass and moist, sunny borders, loved by early pollinators.

GardenAdvice notes

A hardy, clump-forming bulb from the damp meadows of western North America, quamash is unusual among bulbs in tolerating — even enjoying — the moist, heavier soils that many others dislike. Its elegant spikes of blue star-flowers rise in late spring, and it naturalises well in grass and borders to build up into generous drifts.

Growing & planting

Plant the bulbs in autumn in fertile, moist but not waterlogged soil in full sun or partial shade, about 10cm deep and 10cm apart. It suits borders, damp meadows and long grass, and copes with heavier ground than most bulbs. Leave undisturbed to naturalise.

Care & maintenance

Very easy. Keep the soil from drying out in spring, and allow the foliage to die down naturally after flowering so the bulbs build up. If naturalised in grass, delay the first mow until the leaves have yellowed. Lift and divide congested clumps only when flowering declines.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide congested clumps as the foliage dies back, replanting the bulbs.
• Offsets: Detach naturally produced offset bulbs when dividing.
• Seed: Self-seeds gently; seed-raised bulbs take several years to reach flowering size.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Bulbs may rot in soil that bakes hard then floods, and slugs occasionally graze emerging shoots. Reliably moist but not stagnant ground suits it best.

Uses in the garden

Ideal for naturalising in moist borders, damp meadows and long grass, and at pond and stream margins, where the tall blue flower spikes stand out in late spring.

Wildlife value

The nectar-rich spring flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.

Toxicity & safety

Camassia is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets in ordinary garden situations.

GardenAdvice tip

Quamash is one of the best bulbs for a spot that stays moist — it will thrive in heavier, damper ground where tulips and most bulbs would rot, so use it in a moisture-retentive border or naturalised in grass. If growing it in a lawn or meadow, hold off mowing until the foliage has died down, and it will slowly build into a beautiful blue drift.

Our plants are guaranteed for 24 months for more details Click Here