The Camassia bulbs Leichtlinii mix are bulbs of the camassia, or quamash, in blue and white. Along tall, straight stems dozens of loose, star-shaped flowers open in a slender spike. The plants grow to about 80 to 100 centimetres tall. Camassia is strong and hardy and one of the few bulbs that also tolerates moist soil well.

The bulbs are size 12/14, which makes them fairly large. They look beautiful in a perennial border, can be naturalised in grass or under trees and provide long stems for the vase. With 5 bulbs you plant one striking clump or a large pot, with 10 bulbs a group in the border. With 20 or 40 bulbs you create a blue and white strip in the grass or a broad band under trees; allow 8 to 12 bulbs per square metre. Combine them with other flower bulbs, such as Spanish bluebells, which flower just before the camassia. You will find more greenery for outdoors among our outdoor plants.

When should you plant the Camassia bulbs Leichtlinii mix?

Autumn is planting time for the Camassia bulbs Leichtlinii mix: ideally between mid-October and the end of November. With a soil temperature below 10 °C the bulbs form roots while the rest of the bulb stays dormant. December is fine too, provided the ground is frost-free. The winter cold sets flowering in motion, so planting in spring will not give flowers.

When do the Camassia bulbs Leichtlinii mix flower?

The Camassia bulbs Leichtlinii mix flower in May and June, right in the gap between the last tulips and the first summer flowers. The flowers on a spike open from the bottom upwards, so one stem stays in flower for about three weeks. In a pot or a warm spot they start a little earlier, after a cool spring later. In a place they like, the clumps slowly spread and flower more abundantly every year.

Care and tips Camassia bulbs Leichtlinii mix

Plant these large bulbs about 10 to 15 centimetres deep, roughly two to three times their height, with 15 to 20 centimetres between them. Camassia grows in almost any garden soil, including heavy clay, as long as the spot does not become bone-dry in summer. For a pot, choose a deep, roomy model with drainage holes and gravel at the bottom; take a look at our outdoor pots and baskets for this. Cut off the spent stems and leave the foliage until it is yellow. A dose of bulb fertiliser in spring helps the clumps on poor soil.

Water needs of the Camassia bulbs Leichtlinii mix

Camassia likes soil that stays moist in spring and copes better with wet feet than most bulbs. In the garden there is usually nothing to do, apart from watering in a dry spring. A pot dries out faster: keep the soil evenly moist during growth and flowering. After flowering the soil may become a little drier.

Light needs of the Camassia bulbs Leichtlinii mix

Partial shade or partial sun is ideal, for example at the edge of a group of trees or in a border that gets sun for part of the day. In full shade the spikes become sparser.

Are the Camassia bulbs Leichtlinii mix toxic?

The Camassia bulbs Leichtlinii mix are not toxic, which makes them a safe choice for a garden with children or pets. Still, keep the bulbs out of reach of pets and young children before planting, as they are not meant to be eaten.

How will my Camassia bulbs Leichtlinii mix be shipped?

Your bulbs are carefully packed and shipped. That way they arrive safely and fresh from the grower.