Species Small Camas
blue-purple flowers with blue filaments, yellow anthers, green leaves and stems

Small Camas

Camassia quamash

Also Known As - Common Camas
Small Camas (Camassia quamash) is a perennial plant native to the North American high-elevation meadows. It is a fragile-looking yet tough plant with bright green, spoon-shaped leaves and small, bell-shaped white flowers. Small Camas is a low growing and slow-spreading bulb that grows about 10-30cm high. Its dense clusters of flowers give rise to a distinctive blue-violet hue in the early summer. The bulbs of the Small Camas were once an important food source for Indigenous Americans, and are still harvested and cooked as a traditional dish in some places. Its delicate beauty, cultural significance and ample ecological benefits keep it as a valuable addition to most gardens.

Watering:

Minimal

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water Low False Bindweed deeply once every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on how much sunshine the plant gets and how much the soil has dried out. Make sure to avoid getting the leaves wet when watering the plant, as this can cause the leaves to turn brown. Water the plants from the base, ensuring that the top layer of soil is moist but not soggy. For best results, water the plant at the base in the morning, allowing the plant to soak up the water while leaves are still damp from dew.

sunlight

Low False Bindweed requires a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight daily in order to thrive. It prefers direct sunlight during the morning hours when the sun is at its weakest, and is known to suffer from sunburn if exposed to the sun’s stronger afternoon rays. Low False Bindweed prefers a cool, moist environment and is not well suited for extreme temperatures.

pruning

Low False Bindweed should be pruned yearly in late winter to early spring, before new growth begins. Prune lightly, using sharp scissors or pruning shears. Cut back stems that are too long or have become woody to encourage new, healthy growth. Remove any dead or damaged stems, as well as any flower buds to encourage more flowering. Prune judiciously to maintain the plant’s natural shape; too much pruning can adversely affect its growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Hardiness Map

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.