Camassia Bulbs – Why we love them!
When planted in a sunny spot or a partially shaded position, these glorious plants deliver a range of starry flowers in the months of May and June, giving your garden the colour it needs as it heads into summer. They require no special treatment but like a fertile, moist well drained soil, but they’re also rather vibrant growers and they increase rapidly.
Camassias are also quite happy growing in relatively heavy, moisture retaining soils, whilst they are fairly drought tolerant after flowering, making them very useful for those frustrating spots where your other bulbs fail to perform well. These are therefore an indicator of a good garden, and they have become a spring essential for many people in the UK.
What Are the 4 Benefits of Camassia Bulbs?
Versatile
As discussed, Camassia Bulbs are rather dependable when other bulbs are not, so they are very easy to slot into almost any garden. Being incredibly versatile, they are perfect for dappled shade, and they look absolutely glorious under large trees.
Good at multiplying
Nope they’re not going to pass your exams at school or university, but they will multiply quickly in your garden, causing a colourful spark in your garden, lifting the surroundings! Camassia Bulbs also do well even in the harshest of winters, so if you’re looking for a friendly and dependable face all year round, these will certainly do the trick.
Tough
I think it’s important we outline just how tough these bulbs are, meaning they are great for less than perfect soils. This means they are well suited for borders or in grassland where one can achieve the full six weeks of interest using only a few different varieties. They will last even in severe weather and add that delightful touch of colour!
They’re Native American
Why is this such a selling point? Well, what bulbs don’t you love from Native America? By choosing different varieties, the flowering display can be extended from early May until mid-June, starting with the blue c.leichtlinii caerulea and the double-flowered c.leichtlinii semiplena. The shorter c.esculenta bring a dreamy mood of dark blue flowers midway through this period.
Why Else?
They are easy to plant. Simply find a location where the soil drains well. If there are still water puddles 5-6 hours after a hard rain, perhaps choose to scout out another site. Dig holes and plant the camassia bulbs 4-6″ deep and 6-8″ apart and then gently soak the soil to settle it around the bulbs! Camassia are one of the few bulbs you’ll find grow in soil that’s moist more of the time, so we really do expect they will become a firm favourite!