Camassia cusickii

Camassia cusickii, or Cusick’s camass, is native to northeast Oregon and western Idaho but is planted as an ornamental throughout the United States. It grows best in moist, fertile, acidic, humusy, well-drained soils, although it can tolerate clay, in full sun to part shade throughout USDA Zones 4 through 8. The plant tolerates summer droughts, but should be kept moist during the growing season. It is relatively winter hardy, but will sustain damage at temperatures below 23 degrees F (-5 degrees C).

Left alone in appropriate soil and environment, the plant will spread. However, to grow from bulbs, dig up the small bulbs when the plants are dormant in late summer, putting 2 to 3 bulbs in a pot. Grow them in pots for another one or two years in an environment protected from freezing temperatures before planting them. Note that the bulb has to be scored to produce offsets. Plant them in the fall, about 3 to 4 inches apart, 8 to 10 per square foot, to a depth of 4 inches. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons.

Unlike other members of the Camassia genus, cusickii was not used as a food source by Native Americans. The bulbs have a bitter taste and slimy texture.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

No serious insect pests or diseases reported.