Perrenial Camassia Quamash Camas Lily?

Anyone growing these?

I am, but I haven't a clue about them! Would like to know more.

I think the indians ate them.

http://www.paghat.com/camas.html

Paghat likes them. Is this going in the Gothick garden? Death Camas?

Also thought of the chartreuse Amaryllis "Jade Serpent" for the Gothick Garden--It's available from Hadeco in South Africa!

This bulb is very common in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest...I saw drifts of them on Vancouver Island. I have been growing C. quamash for many years. I also grow Camassia leichtlinii and C. cusickii. I prefer the latter species as they are taller (3-4 feet) with larger flower spikes. They certainly make a great show in the late spring garden. C. leichtlinii is dark blue, a similar colour to C. quamash. I also grow C. leichtilinii 'Alba' with white flowers....these were grown from seed. Took 4 years to reach flowering size. C. cusickii is a paler blue. These taller species have huge bulbs. C. quamash is much smaller (both in overall size and bulb size) and I find the leaves too floppy.

Ohh didnt think about in the gothic garden- now I gotta do more research-
I like them cause they are edible and pretty! Dual duty, hehe. Thanks guys!!
If you're ever digging some up and wanna toos em- send me an email Todd. hehe

Todd, what zone are they for? I have some now in my fruit cellar potted up and I think some have to be brought up as the stem is starting to emerge.

Would love to be able to plant them outside instead of having to keep them as a house plant.

Maxine

maxine, they grow fine in my garden, and have multiplied a lot over the years- they like a dampish spot- or at least not dry- i'm zone 5, not sure about zone 4. the leaves die away completely over the summer, and you can forget that they are there, and then damage them trying to plant something else in the fall....that's the only problem i've had, so marking where they are might be good!

Think I will try a couple outside this spring and leave out well mulched over winter.

Did you know that the Nez Persch [spelling on last word] located in Idaho used to dig them and used them in part of their diet.
They grow wild in some parts of Idaho and Washington.
When the US calvary went to move the Nez Peierce [again spelling] to a reservation, they chased them clear to the Canadian border before the indians gave up due to starvation!

Thought you might like a little history about these bulbs.
I only have the blue variety.

Maxine

Maxine, most of my references list Camassia as zone 5. However, C. quamash is native to southern Alberta which is zone 3! I don't think you would have any problems in zone 4, especially if there is some snow cover.

It isnt a true lily. :O

http://www.lilies.org/resources/not-lilies.html

Oh well, It's still gorgeous!

Thanks Crimson for all the info. I really should print it!

Todd, I am going to try it this spring when I can plant them out.
Where did you purchase all of your colors of this lily species?

Maxine

I bought C. quamash locally. C. leichtilinii (blue) and C. cusickii came from Fraser Thimble Farms in British Columbia. C. leichtilinii 'Alba' I grew from seed. I also have C. quamash 'Melody' which is a variegated foliage one. It also came from Fraser Thimble Farms. That mail-order nursery has 7 or 8 species and/or named cultivars of camassia. I find their plants quite good and they ship to the US. They have a website http://www.thimblefarms.com

The Indian tribe is called 'Nez Perce', because their noses were pierced. Lewis and Clark met them on their journey West.

Oh thanks Bert!! My Mother lived very near to Walla Walla, Wash. and they put on a live theator performance showing how the Indians were chased by the calvary. It was in an outdoor arena much like a football field, seats for people, live cowboys and indians, all performed at night.
Very Impressive. I can't say if it is still performed, but would go see it again in a heart beat.

Maxine

http://nezpercetrail.net/calendar/

Thanks for the link, Bert! Lots of wonderful info there on their web site.

Todd, how long did it take for the camas bulbs to bloom after starting them from seed?
Do you save seed to trade from them?

Have a great Sunday, everyone.

Maxine

Yes, how long? :-O Please say- "oh just a few weeks". LOL

It took 4 years before I got them to flowering size....that was for C. leichtilinii which is a big species. C. quamash might be three years since it's smaller. I had seeds earlier but they are all gone now. I will collect extras next summer. Contact me and I'd be happy to send some your way.

"Dies".
Years- it's gonna take years!! LOL

crimson,
Dont feel so bad.
The giant himalayan lily I am trying to start takes about 10 yrs. to bloom from seed- LOL!!

Egads!!! :-O Go to the Himalayans and dig a mature one up!!! LOL

LOL!!!!!

Can't rush perfection (referring to the giant himalayan lily)...you have to be willing to wait. You'll enjoy it more that way! LOL!

That depends on your age, Todd. As I am 70 now, I find that I want it now and am not willing to wait more than a yr. for seeds to develop.

Maxine

Just came aross this thread. I've 3 diff. camassias.

In Victoria the parks have yellow hillsides of daffs, then white narcissus, then finally the blue fields of camassia. When they die down, then the grass is cut. Totally awesome and blissful. Only other time I've ever seen anything like this - bluebells in English woods.
Inanda - who really has to start paying more attention to NAMES> Proper names, not just yellow clematis etc etc.

A note to make regarding Camassias and hardiness zones; they may not work in zone 9 since it is too warm. My reference books list them from zone 5-8. Obviously, they can take colder if Inanda is growing them in Manitoba (zone 2) and at least C. quamash is native in southern Alberta (zone 3). They are also native in Victoria, BC which may be zone 9 in places, however, BC does have an extended cool winter season, unlike Florida. So Crimsontsavo, as lovely as Cammasia are, they might not work in your area.

Allow me to just kill myself now. I'm tossing in the towel! LOL
I'm going to try and grow them-maybe I can dig them and put them in the fridge or something. These will bloom for me! I command them to!! LOL