Camassia quamash Blue Melody (Camas)

Camassia quamash 'Blue Melody' (Camas) is a bulbous perennial with upright racemes packed with dozens of star-shaped, dark blue flowers, adorned with 6 showy tepals, a green center, and bright yellow 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 pretty foliage clump of variegated, long, narrow basal, creamy-edge leaves. A striking feature in the garden, this useful bulb adds something different to the borders at a time when the summer perennials have not yet hit their stride.

• Growing up to 18 in. high (45 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 sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe. Remove offsets when dormant in winter.
• Cut back faded flower spike.