Photo of Camassia cusickii flower by Far Reaches Farm

Photo by Far Reaches Farm

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Camassia cusickii

Also Known As

  • Cusick's Camas
  • Wild Blue Hyacinth

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

  • H: 24"-36"
  • W: 24"-48"

planting zones

  • 5a-9b

More Options

Camassia cusickii plant details

Camassia cusickii is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In spring and summer blue flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and even moisture - regular water. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Camassia cusickii

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: liliaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 24 IN - 48 IN - wide, 24 IN - 36 IN - tall
Flowers: blue blooms in spring and summer
Uses: cutting garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Camassia cusickii

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

PNW Native, grows in damp meadows and along edges of water; grows best in moist to wet, acid, humus rich, well drained soils (but tolerates clay) in sun to part shade. Showy, star shaped, blue flowers with yellow anthers late spring to early summer in racemes on stems 18-30” tall, open slowly from the bottom to the top. Will naturalize and make nice patches over time where happy. Deer and critter resistant.
Native to eastern Oregon, Camassia cusickii has star-shaped, pale icy blue flowers on stems from two to three feet in height. More drought tolerant than C. quamash and C. leichtlinii.
Blooms: spring-summer, light blue/ early emerging, grass like foliage Zone 5-9. 32", PNW, part shade-sun, moist-dry, well drained
Native to the Snake River area of Idaho and into Oregon. This has tall showy spires of pale wisteria blue flowers in late spring and early summer. Likes plenty of spring moisture and can tolerate pretty heavy soils. Makes impressive clumps.

Gardening facts about Camassia cusickii plant

How to Grow Camassia cusickii

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - dappled shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Water Needs

    • dry in summer
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • blue
  • Wildlife

    • bees
  • Flower Season

    • spring
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
  • Texture

    • grassy
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