Camassia quamash Orion

Camassia quamash Orion is a compact variety with pretty lavender-blue flowers derived from a North American bulbous plant. Its ribbon-like foliage, arranged in a basal tuft, resembles that of agapanthus. It is a very hardy and resistant plant, easy to grow in any slightly moist soil, in full sun or partial shade. It naturalises over time, forming large, very blue carpets in a flowery meadow and in sunny or partially shaded borders. The flowers are nectar-rich and look very attractive in a vase.

Camassia quamash, or Camassia esculenta, is a perennial plant that forms large, generous clumps. Its foliage emerges from the ground in spring. Orion is a small horticultural cultivar with a generous bright blue-mauve flowering. With rapid growth, the plant reaches a height of 35 cm (14in) in bloom. Its 20 cm (8in) long floral stems appear between late May and early June. They are filled with star-shaped flowers measuring 2-3 cm (1in) in diameter. The linear and lanceolate leaves measure from 20 to 50 cm (8 to 20in) long and are a vibrant green colour. They dry up at the end of summer and are absent in winter.

Originally from North America, very frost-resistant, this Camassia returns each year, becoming more vigorous over time. It can be found in perennial flower beds, wild gardens, wet meadows, as well as near water features. You can also place it as a border plant in your garden. It is a good flower for bouquets. Its bulbs are not eaten by rodents and can therefore be left in place. Camassia is a robust plant of great ornamental value, which deserves to be featured in many gardens. It is extraordinary for taking over from early spring bulbs, and combines beautifully with spring bulbs and coreopsis in contrasting and colourful scenes. In a natural garden, let it spread in a flowery meadow.

Also known as Quamash, the Camassia quamash has bulbs that were once consumed by Native American tribes or used to make flour. Its taste resembles that of sweet potato when grilled or boiled. However, all other parts of the plant are toxic. The word "Quamash" means "sweet" in the Native American language.