Camassia leichtlinii ssp. suksdorfii

Also Known As

Camassia leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii
Great Camas
Suksdorf's Large Camas

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

H: 18"-24"
W: 6"-12"

planting zones

5a-9b

More Options

Camassia leichtlinii ssp. suksdorfii plant details

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

CHARACTERISTICS OF Camassia leichtlinii ssp. suksdorfii

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: liliaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 6 IN - 12 IN - wide, 18 IN - 24 IN - tall
Flowers: blue blooms in spring
Uses: cutting garden, edible, native plant, summer dormant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Camassia leichtlinii ssp. suksdorfii

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

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Camassia leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii is a tall camas producing elegant spires covered with masses of star-shaped deep blue to lavender blue flowers with attractive yellow stamens opening from the bottom to top for a long-lasting display on strong, willowy stems. Great camas can reach 30-36 inches tall. Naturalizes easily. Native from BC to southern California. Camassia grow in winter-wet soils that dry out in summer which means they will be tolerant of clay-heavy garden soils. Use in beds and borders en masse for visual impact, in the cottage and wildflower gardens, and in the vase. Along with C. quamash, this species was harvested by First Nations peoples as an important source of carbohydrates. Attracts bees. Deer and rabbit resistant. These plants are seed-grown.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Beautiful Camas native to Western Oregon; Robust 2’ stems emerge from grassy clumps bursting forth with lots of 2-3” star shaped lavender blue blooms in April and May. Will form a colony of magnificence with a wet spring siting with at least a half day of sunshine. Naturally occurs in wet to moist meadows and ditches. After growth and bloom, no water is required as plants go dormant. Nice cut flower. Good for rain gardens, pond edge, seasonal bog; best in fertile acidic soil. USDA Z5-9

By: Secret Garden Growers

A rare plant that will grow beneath a Black Walnut tree among other places. It's a native of western North American that grows in moist meadows. A bulb that makes a good fresh cut flower. Like most bulbs, better in mass but a good multiplier so you don't need to buy the 'mass' -- if you plant it "they will come". Grassy 1" wide foliage produces a terminal spike of 20-80 star shaped flowers per spike. Blue blooms with yellow stamens. Takes clay, dry or wet soil.

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

The cooked bulbs of the Indian hyacinth were an important source of food for the Native Americans. Plant in a sunny perennial border, or a woodland with sun. Prefers a wet but not soggy winter and spring, with a drier summer. It also does well in heavy soil. May take a few years to reach blooming size. The racemes of blue-violet flowers are large, showy and star-shaped on a tall stem.