Camassia leichtlinii Alba

For a damp border, moist wildflower meadow, or near the edge of a pond, there can be few more statuesque spring flowers than the towering Camassia leichtlinii 'Alba'. Held on tall, slender spires, white, star-like flowers gently open from the bottom up, with some blooms measuring up to 6cm across. When planted in groups these sensational bulbs will naturalise over time to form graceful, stylish colonies. Originating from Canada and the USA, camassia are one of the most robust and long-lived bulbs you can grow. What is more, if you can spare a few stems, they make excellent cut flowers for the home; just one or two blooms in a simple glass bottle look effective on a windowsill. Flowers are produced from April to June each year and stems can grow up to 1.2m in height. Camassia leichtlinii 'Alba' prefer a spot which benefits from consistently moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil in either full sun or partial shade. As a cautionary note, although moisture-loving, camassia dislike waterlogged conditions. Hardy, bulbous perennials.