Camassia quamash, commonly known as Wild Hyacinth, is a native Pacific Northwest bulb that transforms mid-season gardens with dense spikes of star-shaped lavender-blue flowers. Each raceme holds dozens of two-inch blooms that open progressively from bottom to top, creating weeks of color when many spring bulbs have faded. Hardy in zone 4, this 15-inch perennial naturalizes beautifully in moist, fertile soil and thrives in full sun, earning its place as a sought-after bulb for gardeners who value both beauty and resilience.
Full Sun
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4-4
15in H x ?in W
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High
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The lavender-blue star-shaped flowers packed into each raceme bloom in succession rather than all at once, extending the show across several weeks during mid-season. Native to the Pacific Northwest, Camassia quamash naturally gravitates toward moist, fertile spots where it spreads reliably year after year without fussy intervention. Deer and rodents leave it untouched, making it a worry-free choice for gardens where other bulbs disappear.
Camassia quamash serves as both an ornamental perennial and an edible bulb. In the garden, its tall spikes of blue flowers create dramatic vertical accents in borders and naturalized settings. The bulbs themselves are edible and can be harvested and prepared as a root vegetable, though its primary draw for most modern gardeners is the reliable, deer-resistant flowering display.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Plant bulbs outdoors in fall, 4-6 inches deep and spaced 6-8 inches apart in moist, fertile soil. This timing allows roots to establish before winter dormancy and triggers the chill period required for spring flowering.
For bulb harvest, wait until foliage has fully yellowed and died back in early summer, signaling that the bulb has stored sufficient energy. Carefully dig bulbs, brush away soil, and allow them to dry before storage. Harvest only mature bulbs; young offsets should remain to establish larger colonies.
Deadhead spent flower spikes to maintain a neat appearance and redirect energy toward bulb development for next season. Allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally before removing it, as the leaves feed the bulb for the following year's bloom.
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“Camassia quamash is native to the U.S. Pacific Northwest, where it has grown wild for millennia. The plant holds deep roots in Native American foodways and continues to carry cultural significance in its native region. Its arrival in cultivation reflects both scientific interest in native plants and the growing appreciation for bulbs that naturalize without constant replanting or division.”