Camassia leichtlinii 'Silk River'

RHS Plant Profile
camas 'Silk River'

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Synonyms

Camassia 'Silk River'

Bulbs
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A deciduous, clump-forming perennial bulb to around 80cm in height, with long, narrow, upright green foliage. Spikes of compact, creamy-white, star-shaped flowers develop from lime green buds from late spring into early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–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
Columnar upright, Clump forming
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained fertile, humus-rich soil in sun or part shade, providing a winter mulch. Plant bulbs 10cm deep in autumn. 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 in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or remove offsets when dormant in summer - see bulb propagation

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

No pruning required. Deadhead faded flower spikes

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free