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Camassia cusickii (Cusick’s Camass)

Cusick's Camass

Camassia cusickii, Cusick's Camass, Wild Hyacinth, Blue Flowers, Blue Camas

Camassia cusickii (Cusick’s Camass) is a bulbous perennial with long racemes of 30 to 100 star-shaped, pale blue flowers adorned with 6 showy tepals, a green center, and bright yellow stamens. Borne on stout, willowy stems, they open sequentially from bottom to top for a long-lasting display. Blooming in late spring to early summer, they rise atop a foliage clump of long, linear, wavy-margined, mid-green leaves. A striking feature in the garden, this useful bulb adds something different to the borders at a time when the summer perennials have not yet hit their stride.

  • Growing up to 24-30 in. high (60-75 cm), this beauty naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
  • Easily grown in full sun to part shade in fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Prefers full sun. Needs regular moisture during the growing season but will tolerate drier conditions after bloom as the plants head for summer dormancy. Intolerant of waterlogging and may need some protection from frost in cold areas
  • Ignored by deer and rodents. Clay soil, dry soil, and wet soil tolerant.
  • Generally pest and disease free
  • Stunning in beds and borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower meadows. Spectacular in large sweeping drifts. For the best visual impact, plant in groups (at least 10 to 15 bulbs). Excellent as cut flowers.
  • Mixes beautifully with other late spring flowering bulbs and creates stunning combinations with pink or white Delphiniums, Peonies, or Irises.
  • To be planted in the fall, 4-6 in. deep (10-15 cm) and 6 in. apart (15 cm).
  • Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as the seed is ripe. Remove offsets when dormant in winter.
  • Cut back faded flower spike.
  • Native to Oregon, Idaho.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Camassia
Common names Wild Hyacinth, Camash, Camas
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 6" (15cm)
Depth 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants Idaho, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, United States
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Camassia scilloides (Wild Hyacinth)
Camassia leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii Caerulea Group (Camas)
Camassia quamash (Camas)
Camassia ‘Blue Heaven’ (Camas)
Camassia quamash ‘Blue Melody’ (Camas)
Camassia leichtlinii ‘Alba’ (Camas)

Recommended Companion Plants

Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea ‘Rose Glow’ (Japanese Barberry)
Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart)
Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ (Ornamental Onion)
Leucojum aestivum (Summer Snowflake)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Stunning Blue Flowers to Enhance Your Garden’s Beauty
Camassia (Camas)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Camassia
Common names Wild Hyacinth, Camash, Camas
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 6" (15cm)
Depth 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants Idaho, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, United States
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Camassia (Camas)
Guides with
Camassia (Camas)
Not sure which Camassia (Camas) to pick?
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