Photo of Camassia leichtlinii Blue Danube flower, form by Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database

Photo by Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Show all photos

Camassia leichtlinii Blue Danube

Scientific Name: Camassia leichtlinii ssp. suksdorfii 'Blauwe Donau'

Also Known As

  • Camassia leichtlinii 'Blue Danube'
  • Leichtlin's Camas
  • Leichtlin’s Camass

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

  • H: 2'-4'
  • W: 1'-2'

planting zones

  • 5a-9b

More Options

Camassia leichtlinii Blue Danube plant details

Camassia leichtlinii Blue Danube is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In spring blue flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Attracts bees and beneficial insects making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in acidic, average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Camassia leichtlinii Blue Danube

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: liliaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: blue blooms in spring
Uses: cutting garden, edible, native plant, summer dormant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Camassia leichtlinii Blue Danube

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Native to west Cascade mountain slope meadows, this giant Camas shoots up to 3’ with April > May spikes of 2-3” dark blue stars with yellow stamens. Thrives in moist to wet, fertile, acidic soil, best in sun; rain gardens, at water’s edge; lovely as a cut flower. USDA Z5-9
A native of the American West, Wild Hyacinth's slender spikes of dark blue flowers are brightened by a clutch of yellow stamens as they rise from straplike basal foliage. Unlike most bulbs, 'Blue Danube' relishes moisture and will even tolerate clay, providing it gets plenty of sun. Its ethereal starriness naturalizes superbly in the wild garden with Geranium 'Katherine Adele'.
The cultivar can be found growing happily from Northern CA to British Columbia. 6-petal dark blue stars open from the bottom up on a plant with sturdy 36" stems. This is a lovely, graceful form of the species. Best in groups but they multiply well. Best in good moist but well-drained soil but tolerates moist spots, even clay if adequately moist.

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

Gardening facts about Camassia leichtlinii Blue Danube plant

How to Grow Camassia leichtlinii Blue Danube

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in summer
  • Soil Needs

    • acidic
    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • blue
  • Wildlife

    • beneficial insects
    • bees
    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
  • Texture

    • grassy

See other plant types of Camassia for your garden

aka Sacajawea Variegated Camas

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

3a-9b

Size

Height: 2'-3'

Width: 2'-5'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • dry in summer
Photo of Camassia leichtlinii 'Sacajawea' foliage by Dancing Oaks Nursery
View Plant

More Options

aka Camassia leichtlinii, Camas, Great Camas

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

7a-9b

Size

Height: 2'-3'

Width: 1'-2'

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - regular
  • dry in summer
Photo of Camassia leitchlinii flower by Jerzy Opioła
View Plant

More Options

aka Cusick's Camas, Wild Blue Hyacinth

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

5a-9b

Size

Height: 24"-36"

Width: 24"-48"

  • sun - dappled shade
  • even moisture - regular
  • dry in summer
Photo of Camassia cusickii flower by Far Reaches Farm
View Plant

More Options

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber, Aquatic

Zones

4a-8b

Size

Height: 15"-18"

Width: 10"-15"

  • sun
  • even moisture - high
  • dry in summer
Photo of Camassia quamash 'Orion' flower by Secret Garden Growers
View Plant

More Options

aka Camassia esculenta, Camas Lily

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber, Aquatic

Zones

3a-9b

Size

Height: 18"-36"

Width: 6"-12"

  • sun - mostly sun
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • dry in summer
Photo of Camassia quamash flower by Leafari
View Plant

More Options

+15 more Camassia
Mailing List
Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

© 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved