Camassia scilloides

Common Names

Wild Hyacinth, Atlantic Camas, Eastern Camas

Summary

Camassia scilloides, commonly Atlantic camas or Wild Hyacinth, is a bulbous perennial in the Asparagaceae native to central and eastern North America. It forms a basal clump of long, grass-like leaves and sends a naked flowering stalk to about 1–2 feet tall, topped by a terminal raceme of pale blue to white flowers with six tepals and bright yellow anthers; the blossoms open from the bottom of the spike and are fragrant. Bulbs are ovoid and sometimes clustered, and flowering occurs in spring in habitats such as prairies, savannas, woodland borders, and moist meadows near woods. Culture favors moist, fertile loamy soils in full sun to partial shade; bulbs should be planted 4–6 inches deep and 6 inches apart in fall, with regular moisture during spring growth and drier conditions as dormancy approaches. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 4–8 and can naturalize by seed or division, though seed may take several years to flower; flowers attract bees and butterflies and bulbs were historically edible, though care is needed to distinguish from Death Camas.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4a-8b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining loamy soil that retains moisture but does not become waterlogged.

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Blue to pale blue

Bloom Time

Spring (April–June)

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators