Camassia leichtlinii Alba (Camas)

Camassia leichtlinii ‘Alba’ (Camas) is a bulbous perennial with tall spires packed with dozens of star-shaped, creamy-white flowers. Each flower has 6 showy tepals, a green center, and attractive purple stamens. Borne on stout, willowy stems, they open sequentially from bottom to top for a long-lasting display.

Camassia leichtlinii 'Alba' (Camas) is a bulbous perennial with tall spires packed with dozens of star-shaped, creamy-white flowers. Each flower has 6 showy tepals, a green center and attractive purple stamens. Borne on stout, willowy stems, they open sequentially from bottom to top for a long-lasting display. Blooming in late spring to early summer, they rise atop a foliage clump of narrow leaves. Perfect for brightening up the garden, this elegant flower bulb adds something different to the landscape at a time when the summer perennials have not yet hit their stride.

  • Growing up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm), this beauty naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
  • Easily grown in full sun to part shade in fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Prefers full sun. Needs regular moisture during the growing season, but will tolerate drier conditions after bloom as the plants head for summer dormancy. Intolerant of waterlogging and may need some protection from frost in cold areas
  • Ignored by deer and rodents. Clay soil, dry soil, and wet soil tolerant.
  • Generally pest and disease free
  • Stunning in beds and borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower meadows. Spectacular in large sweeping drifts. For best visual impact, plant in groups (at least 10 to 15 bulbs). Excellent as cut flowers.
  • Mixes beautifully with other late spring flowering bulbs and creates stunning combinations with pink or white Delphiniums, Peonies, or Irises.
  • To be planted in the fall, 4-6 in. deep (10-15 cm) and 6 in. apart (15 cm).
  • Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or remove offsets when dormant in summer.
  • Cut back faded flower spike.

Requirements

Hardiness 3
– 8

Heat Zones 1
– 8

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Camassia – Camas
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)Summer (Early)
Height 3'
– 4'
(90cm
– 120cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 6″ (15cm)
Depth 4"
– 6"
(10cm
– 15cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow