Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
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Soil
Fertile, moist soil enriched with compost, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
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Position
Full sun to partial shade.
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Frost tolerant
Yes, camassia is a hardy perennial bulb, tolerating cold to -30°F (-34°C).
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Feeding
None generally needed. If a clump lacks vigor, drench it with a liquid organic fertilizer when plants emerge in spring, and follow up with a granular bulb fertilizer in the autumn.
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Companions
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Spacing
Single Plants: 3" (10cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 3" (10cm) with 3" (10cm) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Plant dormant camassia bulbs in autumn, after the soil has cooled, setting them 4 inches (10 cm) deep. Container-grown plants can be set out first thing in spring. Camassias resent root disturbance and rarely need dividing. To increase your supply, dig bulbs from the outside of the clump in early spring and transplant them right away.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Camassias bloom in late spring, after daffodils but before summer perennials, and the foliage dies back in midsummer. They are best when allowed to naturalize, often forming thick clumps that persist for many years. Camassia bulbs were once a major food source for indigenous people and early settlers in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Named varieties, selected for superior bloom, are widely available.
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Harvesting
Gather stems for use in cut arrangements as you need them.
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Troubleshooting
Camassias can tolerate wet soil better than drought. The plants die back naturally in midsummer. The bulbs are considered to be rodent resistant, and deer rarely eat the foliage.
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