Camass is a spring-flowering bulbous perennial native to moist mountain meadows from British Columbia to southern California, prized for its striking star-shaped flowers that emerge in April and May. Growing 30 to 48 inches tall, this subspecies produces dense racemes holding 20 to 80 sequential blooms that open from bottom to top on sturdy stems, each flower spanning 2 to 3 inches across. Hardy in zones 5 through 9, camass thrives in moderate moisture conditions and tolerates challenging soils including clay and dry spots, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens and naturalized plantings. The linear, strap-shaped foliage rises in substantial clumps, providing season-long structure before the plant enters summer dormancy.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-9
48in H x 24in W
—
High
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Star-shaped flowers in upright, densely packed racemes create a striking vertical accent that rises cleanly above strappy foliage. The sequential flowering pattern, where blooms open gradually from bottom to top, extends the show over several weeks rather than opening all at once. Native to the Pacific Northwest's meadows, camass handles wet springs and dry summers with equal poise, and its sturdy flower stems rarely need staking despite their impressive height.
Camass excels in rain gardens and naturalized plantings where its tolerance for seasonal moisture and clay soil becomes an asset rather than a limitation. Its height, showy flowers, and strong stems make it a compelling option for cut flower arrangements. In spring meadow gardens and mixed perennial borders, camass provides architectural interest and sequential blooms that unfold over weeks.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Bulbs are planted directly in fall, 4 to 6 inches deep and spaced 6 inches apart in prepared soil. Seeds can be sown but will not flower until the 3rd or 4th year.
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“Camassia leichtlinii, sometimes called Leichtlin's camass, evolved over millennia on the moist slopes and mountain meadows west of the Cascades and Sierras, from British Columbia south to California. These native populations persisted in their alpine and subalpine habitats, naturally selected for resilience in cool, seasonally wet environments. The subspecies suksdorfii represents a distinct regional population within this broader species, a testament to the ecological diversity that developed across the plant's range.”