CAMASSIA

CAMASSIA COLLECTION

I’ve often read in the horticultural press that the genus Camassia is the perfect gap filler in gardens between the end of spring and the beginning of summer.  Whilst this is the time of year that Camassia are in full flight I shudder at the thought of these beauties being labelled in such a way.  In my opinion they are worthy of stand-alone recognition for their beauty and grace and stunning additions to a plethora of planting schemes.

Camassia are a genus of bulbous perennials with 5/6 species groups.  They are extremely hardy and will thrive in moist conditions.  I have found they easily adapt and flourish in heavy damp soils as well as drier conditions (if their root system is established) and to date I have never experienced problems with pests or diseases.  What’s not to love!

They hail from North America and at one time many moons ago were a food staple for Indian folk who used to roast the quamash species.  When roasted they taste something similar to a sweet potato but I wouldn’t rush to try this and suggest just stick to sweet potato!  The name Camassia was derived from kamas used by Native American Indians.

They look fabulous in virtually any planting scheme from formal to informal, woodland areas, damp meadows and alongside ponds and streams as well as wildflower meadows.  I also use them in seasonal planted containers large and small to brighten up shadier areas although I never plan to keep them in their containers for more than 2 years as flowering performance will diminish.  They are a perfect fit for naturalistic planting.

Once established they create a calming visual feast for the eyes as their star-like six-petalled blooms slowly open from the bottom upwards along their lofty spires reaching heights of between 30cm and 120cm.  A statuesque stunner.

Plant Camassia bulbs during autumn at a depth of 20cm or approximately double the size of the bulb.  I have never pandered to them during the planting process by adding compost or leaf mould but if the thought of this makes you twitch then go ahead and add to that hole although I would probably only do this if I had chalky or sandy soils to nurture them slightly to give the best start in life.  The bulbs should be fat and solid and like all purchased bulbs should show no sign of mould or softness.

The firework display of Camassia usually starts around late April/early May and can last for 6/7 weeks.  Camassia leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii Caerulea Group (mostly found listed as C. leichtlinii ‘Caerulea’) is one of the first to reveal its beautiful intense blue followed by C. cusickii (ku-sik-kei) pale violet-blue in colour, C. cusickii ‘Zwanenburg’ a lavender-blue flower with a subtle stripe down the middle of each of the six petals named after the place in Haarlem, Holland, where the famous van Tubergen Bulb Nursery was based, C. quamash (most commonly found) and C. quamash ‘Orion’ a more distinctive indigo-blue followed by C. leichtlinii ‘Sacajawea’ (cream flowers with variegated leaves allegedly named after a 12 year old Indian girl who was kidnapped and sold as a slave around 1800) C. leichtlinii ‘Alba’ (creamy white and now renamed Camassia leichtlinii subsp. leichtlinii) and C. leichtlinii ‘Semiplena’ (dense racemes of double creamy white flowers). The more recent additions of pinks, violets & lilacs add a further dimension to planting schemes. These are just a snapshot of a few Camassia that will maximise the flowering period of these beauties with many more varieties/cultivars in between that are too many to mention here.

They look just fabulous on their own, in grass or with zingy coloured reds, yellows and oranges in either a wild flower meadow-type setting or perennial border with cool whites and muted pastel colours.

Ferns, Astrantia, Polygonatum, Lamprocapnos and Dicentra also complement Camassia well as their statuesque spires intermittently puncture the nodding arms of Solomon’s Seal and the hanging and nodding heart shaped flowers of Dicentra in an edge of woodland setting as all are happy in some shade.  One of my favourite under planting choices is Veronica gentianoides ‘Tissington White’.

Grow them under Wisteria – the creamy-white Camassia under the deeper blue Wisteria, graduating to the deepest blue Camassia under the white Wisteria along a pergola walkway for a magical feature in May.

As National Collection Holder of Camassia I am keen to raise the profile of this delightful genus and promote its versatility in a plethora of planting schemes.

I very much look forward to welcoming you to our family-run nursery in the beautiful South Hams or meeting you at the many events we attend each year.

Our Camassia Bulb Availability List is always on our website from 1 April to September/October every year.  Camassia bulbs that I have grown for Chris Beardshaw’s GOLD MEDAL WINNING, BEST IN SHOW & PEOPLE’S CHOICE Show Gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be included in the availability lists each year.

We also offer a number of carefully selected Camassia Collections that incorporate some of our favourite colour combinations.

Bulb orders are posted out September to November with full planting & cultural  information – the perfect time to plant Camassia for a magical display the following spring.

Potted Camassia bulbs are shipped December to March each year (unless too tall!)  and can also be ordered online for collection at the many events I attend.

You’ll also find me in floral marquees at many events and during the Camassia flowering season I will be displaying these hardy bulbous perennial beauties for visitors to the shows to experience and enjoy.
Pre-orders of Camassia can be placed for delivery to the events I attend.

It is also possible to book Private Nursery Visits to come along & see Camassia in our gardens & woodland settings.

Do please get in touch if you want to share anything Camassia related.  I particularly enjoy researching old and new cultivars and would welcome any information you may have to enable me to continue to compile important information to help promote and preserve this simply delightful genus.