Anticlea elegans

RHS Plant Profile
mountain deathcamas

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mountain deathcamas RHS / Joanna Kossak
mountain deathcamas RHS / Joanna Kossak

Other common names

alkali grass, wand lily, white camas

Synonyms

Zigadenus chloranthus
Zigadenus elegans

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A bulbous perennial with narrow, grey-green, basal leaves to 30cm long. Bears upright spikes of many, small,star-shaped, green and white flowers in mid- to late summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Melanthiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets (dogs) if eaten. see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
A genus of flowering plants with narrow green foliage and star-shaped cream, green and red flowers which are often used in alpine or gravel garden planting schemes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
North America, Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown when ripe or in spring, or by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free