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No Quibble GuaranteeHow to grow Camassia
Camassia are bulbous perennial plants with striking, firework-like, star-shaped flowers and narrow linear leaves that adorn thick, majestic stems throughout spring. Commonly known as Wild Hyacinth, they make the perfect companion plants to lower growing plants and shrubs complementing any garden with undulating architecture. They also add substance to indoor arrangements.
Camassia are a fine addition to flower beds and borders within a cottage, wildflower or informal garden setting. Native to Northwest America, they make an equally fine sight when naturalised in long grass or in a more formal planting scheme. Camassia can grow to an approximate height of 30cm-90 and a spread of 20cm dependent on variety.
Key Information
Soil pH
Position
Hardiness
Where & when to plant Camassia
Camassia are perennials, growing from small, pointed ended bulbs. Plant in autumn, in moist, well-drained soil. Happy even in heavy soil, you must ensure that the soil drains well. If this is not the case amend with organic matter such as compost, ground bark or old manure to improve poorly drained sites.
How to plant Camassia
Plant your bulbs around 10cm deep and 20cm apart with the points facing upward. Water thoroughly and deeply to set the soil securely. Camassia are best positioned in full sun but will also tolerate part shade.
Camassia will happily naturalise in grass, although the foliage does take a while to die down before it can be cut back.
Camassia bulbs resent being disturbed but would be happy in a container for several years. Use a good multi-purpose compost, mixed with grit.
What to plant with Camassia
Camassia are easy-going plants which will complement a wide range of other garden flowers as well as being excellent stems for the vase.
They look marvellous planted in swathes with grasses and meadow flowers for a natural, easy style of garden. In addition, planting Camassia with contrasting deep green or purple foliage shrubs, will give a perfect backdrop for their display.
Dependent upon the time of year they flower in your particular garden, you could also try combining Camassia with Leucojum, late-flowering tulips, narcissi, or Dicentra Spectablis.
If structure is important to your planting, then alliums will develop and contrast the form of Camassia – there are a multitude of colours, heights and shapes available which will complement each other to provide an eye-catching display.
How to care for Camassia
Once the flowering period has ended, leave the foliage in place as this will help to strengthen the bulb for the following season. Water well during the growing period, ensuring that the soil is kept moist, especially when there are periods of prolonged dry weather. Feed is not generally required.
In the middle of summer, the foliage will turn yellow and die back as your Camassia become dormant – this is when you are able to remove foliage whilst your plant plants rests for the winter.
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as the seed is ripe. Offsets can be removed from the bulbs when they become dormant in winter.
How to propagate Urginea
Urginea are imposing plants, creating a dramatic statement when planted alone, creating quite an impressive clump when they have naturalised.
However, when grown amongst grasses or interspersed Allium they look incredible.
When choosing companion plants, think about the growing conditions that are preferred by each plant. Maybe grow Urginia maritima with Allium Forelock, Moly or Hair – the almost globe-like spheres of blooms will hover above the foliage but will have faded by the time the Urginea flowers have fully developed so will not detract from the spectacle.
Whether grown in borders or containers, the period when the foliage is absent could be filled with a low growing, evergreen carpet of Delosperma Suntropics Purple, Copper or Red, which become covered with bright almost neon coloured daisy-like flowers from spring until the first frosts.
