Camassia quamash "blue melody"

Camassia quamash "blue melody"

This native bulb has lovely dark blue-purple flowers, similar to the common blue camas, with the addition of interesting variegated foliage and a tolerance for colder weather. It has spikes of star-shaped flowers with long, upright, swordlike leaves growing 8 to 10” long. Native to the western Sierra Nevada meadows, it tolerates damp meadows and pond edges,  as well as heavy clay soils.

This bulb  likes full sun in late spring to early summer, and should be planted 3 bulbs per sq. ft. unless otherwise noted. Like most of the other camassia species, these bulbs were frequently  used by tribes as a well-known and highly appreciated food.

Planted in the fall, it blooms early spring to late fall. It can handle snowy winters but blooms nicely for us on the coast. It prefers summer-dry conditions. Compatible with Zones 3 to 8, it.can be planted at a density of 3-4 bulbs per square foot. It pairs beautifully with companions such as Allium, Iris, and Triteleia, adding texture and depth to a garden display of California’s native bulbs. Some horticulturists recommend leaving it in one place in its early years. See enclosed sheet for more on the basics of native bulb culture.

Some confusion exists as to whether this bulb is truly native, truly a lily, or truly in the Hyacinth family. We are still trying to run down a definitive answer. So perhaps avoid using it in a restoration project.