Camassia is a spring-blooming bulb that stands out from the rest of the lot in two ways: The Camassia genus is native to North America (most spring bulbs were introduced to North America from Europe), and, unlike most bulbs, it tolerates wet conditions during the winter and prospers in damp sites. 

This often overlooked but spectacular spring bulb takes over the show after tulips drop their petals and daffodil foliage begins to yellow. The plant produces spires of beautiful star-shaped flowers in late spring and early summer. Reaching up to 4 feet in height, this is a tall plant for a spring-flowering bulb. Its striking blue-purple flowers are visible from the distance.

Camassia forms thick clumps, naturalizing over time.

Where to Plant Camassia

Choose a location in full sun or in a woodland area with dappled sunlight. The soil should be rich and moist but not soggy, with a slightly acidic pH. The bulbs can be planted near a pond or stream but avoid low-laying areas where moisture accumulates.

Camassia looks best if planted in large drifts. Add this cool beauty to perennial or shrub borders or an entryway planting for a burst of late spring color.

How and When to Plant Camassia

Like other spring bulbs, camassia is planted in the fall. Plant bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep, with the pointy side up. Space bulbs 6 inches apart. Water well and cover the soil with a 2-inch layer of mulch.

Care Tips

Camassia requires minimal care.

Light

Camassia plants grow best in full sun but they tolerate the dappled or partial shade in a woodland setting.

Soil and Water

Camassia prospers in moist, fertile, humus-rich soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. It blooms best when it gets ample moisture during the spring growing season. Water plants as needed to maintain a moist though not wet growing environment.

It is one of the very few bulbs that tolerate moist soil, which makes it suitable for growing near a pond or stream, as long as it does not sit in water and the bulb is above the water table.

Temperature and Humidity

Camassia is adapted both to cold winters and hot, humid summers (it goes dormant in the summer). However, just like other spring-flowering bulbs that require a certain number of chill days during the winter, it is not suitable to be grown above Zone 8.

Fertilizer

If planted in rich, fertile soil, it is usually not necessary to fertilize the bulbs. Instead, apply a 2-inch layer of compost or leaf litter around the plants every spring.

Pruning

After blooming, camassia foliage withers and slowly turns yellow. Allow the foliage to die back completely removing it. Plants go dormant in midsummer.

Potting and Repotting

Although camassia is a hardy bulb that survives cold, snowy winters in garden soil, it is not suitable for growing in pots because the bulbs are not sufficiently insulated against the winter cold and the summer heat. Frequent temperature fluctuations and cycles of freezing and thawing during the winter can damage or kill the bulbs.

Pests and Problems

Camassia is blissfully unbothered by any serious pests or diseases. At the most, you might find aphids, slugs, and snails on the plant. Deer and rodents usually show no interest in the bulbs.

How to Propagate Camassia

Most camassia species form clumps with the bulbs forming offsets over time. Digging those up, then dividing and replanting them is the easiest way to propagate camassia. In the late summer or early fall, after the plants have gone dormant, carefully dig up the entire clump. Separate it into smaller sections, taking care not to damage any of the bulbs, and replant the sections at the same depth as the original plant. Water well after planting.

Propagation from seed is a lengthy process; it takes up to five years for new plants to bloom; therefore it is not recommended.

Types of Camassia

Common Camas

Camassia quamash has sky-blue to deep-blue flowers. It is native to western North America. ‘Blue Melody’ is a profusely blooming cultivar with lots of dark blue flowers. Zone 4-8

Large Camas

Camassia leichtlinii, also called Leichtlin’s camass, is also native to western North America. Flowers are white, cream-colored, blue, or purple with yellow anthers. It makes a good cut flower. Popular cultivars include ‘Blue Danube’ and ‘Blue Heaven’. Zone 5-9

Wild Hyacinth

The only variety of camassia that is native to eastern and central North America. Camassia scilloides, also called Atlantic camas, has pale blue to white flowers and grass-like leaf blades. It does not produce bulb offsets but reproduces by reseeding itself. Zone 4-8

Cusick’s Camass

In the wild, Camassia cusickii is exclusively found in Oregon and Idaho. It has pale wisteria-blue flowers. ‘Zwanenburg’ is a sport (naturally occurring variety) with deep wisteria-blue flowers. Zone 4-8

Camassia Companion Plants

Spiderwort

Perennial spiderworts may not have the showiest blooms, but they certainly make up for it with quantity and a long bloom of up to three months. There are many buds per stalk, and the bloom time can last up to three months. Spiderworts aren't too picky when it comes to exposure. Many varieties are just as happy in partial shade as in full sun. Most appreciate some shade from the hot afternoon sun. A common native species of spiderwort is Virginia spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana). Zone 4-11

Baptisia

Also known as false indigo, baptisia is a rugged native prairie plant with tall spires of colorful blooms along with attractive blue-green foliage. It flowers in early summer. Once the blooms have faded, they are followed by large clusters of showy seed pods that dry out as they mature and create a rattling noise in the breeze. The genus comprises more than 20 species of which blue false indigo (Baptisia australis) is the most commonly planted. There are also varieties with a more compact growth habit. Zone 3-8

Prairie Smoke

Midspring-blooming prairie smoke is a popular ground-hugging favorite that produces eye-catching fuzzy seed heads after its reddish-pink to purple flowers fade. Plant these 10-inch perennials in front of a stand of camassia. Zone 3-6

Phlox

If you would like to add this highly dependable summer flower to your native plant garden, perennial phlox gives you lots of choices. Of the more than 60 plant species in the genus, all but one are native to North America. And there are several different kinds of phlox, both upright and creeping phlox. Garden and meadow phlox produce large panicles of fragrant flowers in a wide assortment of colors. They also add height, heft, and charm to a border. Zone 3-8