Planting CAMASSIA-Underutilized Bulbs - Ep. 279

[@paulnee4156]

I really enjoyed seeing what we in the PNW call Camas. The indigenous peoples in this region harvested their bulbs and used them like a small potato. We have them growing in a bed in our yard and in the spring they sprout up in grassy fields areas and the prairies of Western Washington. In fact, there's a town along the Columbia River named Camas.

[@cathykirkmcrae7727]

We have fields of them here in southern B.C. They come in right when the daffodils are starting to finish, so there is some overlap and the blue and yellow together is really something to look forward to.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

That must be a sight to behold!

[@charlesbale8376]

I love spending time in your garden...Enjoyed the video and appreciated the information.

[@thepipingbagbakery4399]

I can’t wait to give these a try! Thanks Summer!

[@KokoraLife]

They are so beautiful!

[@tg_ny]

Thanks for the video. I must give those a try. I hope the bunnies leave them alone. I had planted several liatris bulbs two years ago. They all sprouted nicely. Then the bunnies took notice. They collectively declared “this ain’t gonna happen”. No more liatris 😢. It’s too bad. I like how they present in a garden and I believe the pollinators love them.

[@jefflange744]

I live in Oregon, white flowering camas are known as death camas. I have been told they are poisonous to humans. Purple flowering camas is still a food staple for the native peoples.

[@tg_ny]

@@jefflange744 good to know. thanks. I wonder if the white variety will keep munching critters away like deer and bunnies…

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Yes, thanks for bringing up that there is a look-a-like (Zigadenus elegans) - different genus altogether ... But the white ones I'm referring to in this video are just a white-flowered variety of the edible ones.

[@laurahiggins4712]

I live in the PNW and love Camassia aka Indian lily. Planted some many, many years ago and they came up consistently until this year. Will be planting new bulbs. Pollinators love Camassia, even attracting hummingbirds! Gotta keep the hummers well fed!

[@christophertaylor9826]

Thank you for the great informative video.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

You're most welcome.

[@gasperkanoni8838]

Beautifull scening❤❤❤

[@RichardPallardy]

They live forever too! Some that are probably 20 years old in my parents' garden. Still come up every year. Relatively short bloom life, but well-worth it. The foliage looks good for most of the season.

[@dawn8211]

This video came at a great time! My bulbs arrived today, and I was wondering if you think it would be possible to grow native strawberries on top of them? What other native short rooted perennials could grow on top?

[@velvet3784]

It looks lovely, it also reminds me a lot of triteleia I tried to plant, sadly they did not flower (overwatering probably)

[@arthurhartsock1407]

This comment concerns video 152. I'm working my way thru your videos. In this Mushroom Museum episode you talk about all the elements in our soil/environment that help plants grow. So important that you're showing this. Today's modern farmers have destroyed their soil with use of petro-chemicals (fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, etc). Our soil is in same shape as prisoners liberated from Nazi death camps at end of WWII. They were walking skeletons--barely alive. We need to regenerated our soil/environment or we may all starve sooner than we realize.

[@yfrontsguy]

They are the big thing to plant in meadow gardens in Europe these days. I've found that they seed around a lot and hybridise so you'll get some interesting colour forms happening in the future Be warned that they do seed a LOT if you leave the seedpods on

[@johnsantangelo7773]

the deer in my area do munch on the foliage, not the blooms as you mentioned

[@nanciselk8935]

The blue are edible and the white is called Death Camas. Never harvest without the flower. The Camas Prarie here in WA/ID is so beautiful when blooming.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Yes, thanks for bringing up that there is a look-a-like (Zigadenus elegans) - different genus altogether ... But the white ones I'm referring to in this video are just a white-flowered variety of the edible ones.

[@Q67mw3Z5]

What about placing native Iris versicolor along the smaller ponds' banks? Apparently bumblebees, bees, and flies feed on Iris versicolor.

[@jeanneeguizabal471]

🙋🏻‍♀️💚🌳🌸🌺🌼🌻

[@thedivide3688]

It's odd that Camassia is so underutilized.

[@musicalmarion]

I know that Hyacinths are poisonous but didn't realise the wild ones are not 🪴