Camassia leichtlinii 'Alba'

RHS Plant Profile

Californian white-flowered quamash

RHS

Other common names

large camas

Synonyms

Camassia leichtlinii subsp. leichtlinii 'Alba', Camassia leichtlinii 'Alba', Camassia leichtlinii Alba Group, Camassia leichtlinii 'Alba' misapplied

Bulbs

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A bulbous perennial to around 120cm in height, with narrow green leaves. Spikes of starry, creamy-white flowers appear on upright stems in late spring

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming, Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Camassia are bulbous perennials with narrow, channelled leaves and erect racemes of star-shaped violet-blue or creamy-white flowers in early summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: USA (Oregon)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, fertile soil. Intolerant of waterlogging and may need some protection from frosts in colder areas. May have the potential to become a nuisance due to prolific self-seeding if not managed well This plant was part of the RHS Camassia (quamash) trial 2024-2026 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/ongoing-plant-trials/camassia

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe. Remove offsets when dormant in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildflower meadow
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Prairie planting
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back faded flower spike

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free