Camassia leichtlinii ‘Blue Danube’ (Camas)

Camassia leichtlinii ‘Blue Danube’ (Camas) is a bulbous perennial with racemes of 20 to 80 lavender-blue, star-shaped flowers. Each flower has 6 showy petal-like tepals and attractive 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 the foliage clump of linear, strap-shaped 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 30-36 in. high (75-90 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 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 in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or remove offsets when dormant in summer.
• Cut back faded flower spike.