A large and beautiful species native to western N. America, Leichtlin’s camass is a spring-flowering bulbous perennial that typically grows wild on moist slopes and moist mountain meadows but can be allowed to go quite dry after flowering. The bulbs were an important food source for native Americans and early settlers.
Strap-shaped leaves form a 2’ by 2’ clump of foliage. Stout flowering stems tower above, densely clothed in showy purple-blue 2” wide six-petaled star-shaped flowers.
Plant bulbs 4-6” deep and 6” apart in full sun or morning sun. Camass tolerates a wide range of soils including clay, but prefers fertile, humusy soil. They are low-maintenance and best left undisturbed.