Wild Hyacinth (Camassia scilloides) kah-MASS-ee-ah scilloides |
|
| Other Names | Camassia scilloides (NGN) |
| Teaser | This lovely native has grass-like leaves and open spikes of six- petaled, light blue flowers. Found in prairie and open woodland. Well suited to naturalizing; a bulb but also self seeds. |
| Description |
Camassia scilloides is a striking, spring-blooming perennial native to eastern North America. This bulbous plant produces a basal rosette of strap-shaped, grass-like leaves that emerge in early spring, followed by tall, erect flower spikes reaching 12-24 inches tall. In late spring, the flower stalks burst forth with clusters of showy, star-shaped, blue-violet or white blooms that resemble wild hyacinths. The nectar-rich flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. After flowering, the foliage often goes dormant in the summer heat. Atlantic Camas thrives in consistently moist, well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun, depending on the climate. Its bold, architectural form and showy blossoms make Camassia scilloides an excellent choice for planting in borders, meadows, woodland gardens, or the edges of ponds and streams, where its unique flowers can be admired in the spring landscape. |
 | |
| Plant Data | |
| I am a... | Deciduous Perennial Mounded |
| Where to Find It | You can find Wild Hyacinth scattered throughout the woods. The easiest place to see it is along the western path. |
| How to Recognize It | Distinctive pale blue spikes of flowers rise on a stem 1-3 feet above basal grass-like leaves. |
| Why to Like | Lovely spikes of pale blue, almost white flowers! |
| Mature Size | 8 - 12 inches tall. 6 - 8 inches wide. |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun - Partial Shade |
| Moisture Tolerance | Medium - Wet: |
| Zones | 5a - 9b |
| Tags | Illinois Native, Non-Allergenic, Showy Flowers |
| Flower Color | Light blue
|
| Animals That Use It |
Seeds: |
| |
|
More Photos: Google Image Search & Flickr |
|
|
|
|
