How to grow Camassia

Camassia leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii

🌸 Flower 🔁 Perennial

Tall spires of starry blue flowers in May, bridging the gap between tulips and summer perennials. Thrives in damp soil and meadows.

At a glance: Sow early September to early October.

When to sow, plant and harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sow outdoors

Flowers

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Early September – early October · 6 weeks before the first autumn frost
Plant Bulbs
Plant 10 cm deep and 15 cm apart, pointy end up, in well-drained soil or pots. Water in.
100–150 days after “Plant Bulbs” · Mid December – early February
Look for Shoots
Green shoots should be showing. Keep pots moist but not wet and watch for slugs on young leaves.

May
In Flower
Your bulbs should be in flower — a good moment for a journal photo.
June
Deadhead and Feed
Snap off faded flower heads (not the leaves) and give a high-potash feed to build up the bulb for next year.
July
Let the Leaves Die Back
Leave the foliage for at least six weeks after flowering, until it yellows — don't knot or cut it. Then tidy it away.