Products › Autumn planted bulbs to flower in the Spring › Camassia › Camassia leichtlinii caerulea

Camassias of different sorts grow in the wild in great numbers in moist meadows in the western USA. C. leichtinii grows principally in mountain meadows, and prefers full sun, although it tolerates partial shade fairly well.  It is a beautiful bluish-purple with gold stamens standing out clearly. The buds at the bottom of the raceme open first, and the flowers at the top will still be seen a month later. Let the leaves start to lose colour before cutting them back.  The flowers are good for cutting, though beware the falling petals staining a white tablecloth. Blue flowers in May on a 3ft (90cm) tall stem.

Planting instructions

Bulbs should be planted 4-6" (10-15cm) deep , 9" (23cm) apart in groups of 5 or more in the sun, or part shade.  They like a moist spring and flowering, followed by a dry dormancy. They prefer not to be disturbed once established.