Camassia (Camassia leichtlinii ‘Caerulea’) has long stems, starry, purple blue flowers that grows in loose spikes. Camassia looks best when planted in clusters along a shrub border or in a grassy location, where it blends in wonderfully. It prefers full light and prefers moist, if not wet, soil.
Camassia Infographic
Camassia leichtlinii ‘Caerulea’ Basics
Name | Camassia |
Botanical Name | Camassia leichtlinii ‘Caerulea’ |
Flower Color | Purplish Blue |
Height | 34-38 inches |
Light | Full (6+ hours sun per day) |
Soil | Average to wet |
Bloom Time | Late Spring |
Zone | Zones 4 to 10 |
Plant Depth | 6 inches deep |
Plant Spacing | 5 inches apart |
Density | 4 bulbs per square foot |
Camassia leichtlinii ‘Caerulea’: Size
Camassia leichtlinii ‘Caerulea’ grows to 34-38 inches tall.
Is Camassia leichtlinii ‘Caerulea’ Deer Resistant?
Camassia leichtlinii ‘Caerulea’ is Deer Resistant.
Where to Plant Camassia leichtlinii ‘Caerulea’
Camassias prefer full sun or light shade, as well as rich, well-drained soil. Most species grow natively in moist meadows that may be wet for short periods of time in the spring but are dry during the summer. When plants are actively growing in the spring, evenly moist conditions are critical, but dry soil in the summer when the leaf dies down is good.
Camassias are one of the few bulbs that flourish in moist, even wet, soil. Wet, saturated soil is often harmful when plants are dormant, especially in the winter. Summer foliage is slow to die back; do not trim it until it has entirely yellowed and collapsed.
Sun | Full (6+ hours of sunlight) |
Soil | Moist to Wet Soil |
How to Plant Camassia leichtlinii ‘Caerulea’
Plant the bulbs in the fall, 6 inches below the soil level. Arrange bulbs in drifts of a dozen or more for the best effect, spacing bulbs 5 inches apart.
How Many Camassia Bulbs to Plant in a Flower Bed?
You can plant 4 Camassia bulbs per square foot. Use the Camassia calculator below to calculate how many bulbs you need for your garden.
How to Propagate Camassia leichtlinii ‘Caerulea’
Camassias produce offsets, which can be used to propagate the plant, however offset production is slow, and clumps should be left alone.
Dig and divide in the summer for propagation or if clumps exhibit signs of overcrowding, such as diminished flowering. Alternatively, seeds can be used to propagate the plant. Seedlings need 3 to 4 years to bloom after self-sowing.
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