Description of Camassia quamash (Common Camas)

Camassia quamash is common camas, a bulb that likes spring-wet soil and flowers with blue starry blooms. It’s a good fit near bog gardens because it enjoys moisture in spring, then copes as the soil firms up in summer.

Appearance

It makes strap-like leaves in spring and sends up flower spikes covered in blue flowers, usually around May and June. Height is often 40 to 70cm depending on conditions. Foliage dies back after flowering, so it needs neighbours that will fill the space later.

Care Guide

Plant the bulbs in autumn and then leave them alone. They dislike being moved once settled.

• Sun: Full sun to light shade.
• Soil: Moist but draining soil. It suits heavy soil if it doesn’t stay stagnant in summer.
• Water: Spring moisture helps. Avoid bone-dry soil during growth.
• After flowering: Let leaves die back naturally to feed the bulb.
• Division: Lift and divide clumps in late summer if needed, but only when dormant.

If you mow near a bog meadow area, wait until the leaves have yellowed fully before cutting.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bog gardens as a spring feature on the upper edge or nearby damp meadow zone. It gives you early height and colour before summer plants take over.

It pairs well with primroses and later with summer marginals, as long as you accept the foliage dieback after flowering.

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