Northwest Blooms · Bulbs
Camassia quamash
Common Camas
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Height
- 1 to 2 feet tall
- Width
- Clumps up to 1 foot wide
- Flower color
- Pale to deep blue
- Foliage color
- Deep green to bluish-green
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Prefers moist, well-draining soil
- Maintenance
- Low
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies
About this plant
Camassia quamash is a perennial bulbous plant native to western North America, thriving in moist meadows, prairies, and along stream banks. Growing 1 to 2 feet tall and up to 1 foot wide, it features linear, grass-like basal leaves in deep green to bluish-green. In late spring to early summer, it produces stunning star-shaped flowers that range from pale to deep blue. Preferring full sun to part shade and moist, well-draining soil, Camassia quamash is low-maintenance, requiring minimal care beyond removing spent flower spikes. Valued for its beautiful blooms and historical significance as a food source for indigenous peoples, it makes a delightful addition to wildflower gardens, meadows, and naturalized areas.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Under Trees · Containers · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Daylilies · Japanese anemones · Bleeding hearts · Catmint · Heucheras · Lady's mantle
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Plant in generous groups rather than single spots, and set them among perennials whose new growth covers the fading foliage.
