Wild Hyacinth

Camassia scilloides, commonly known as wild hyacinth, eastern camas, or Atlantic camas, is a bulbous perennial that flowers in the spring. It typically grows to 1-2 feet but can sometimes reach up to 3 feet. The plant is indigenous to various habitats, such as low, rich woods, wet open woodlands, open meadows, stream banks, limestone glades, ledges, rocky slopes, and prairies. It is often found in areas with calcareous soil and can be seen across Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Texas.

The plant has narrow, linear, grass-like, and sharp-pointed leaves that form a clump at the base. It grows up to 2 feet tall and produces a naked flowering stalk. The flowers are pale blue to white and emit a pleasant fragrance. The blooming starts from the bottom of the raceme and proceeds to the top during April-May. Each flower is 1 inch across and has six linear to elliptic tepals, six yellow-anthered stamens, and a green ovary with a central style. A raceme can contain up to 20 flowers. Once the flower is fertilized, it produces a 1/3-inch seed capsule. After flowering, the basal leaves turn yellow and wither, leading to a mid-summer dormancy.

This plant thrives in moist, fertile, and acidic soil that is humusy and well-drained. It grows best under full sun, but it can also tolerate open woodland conditions. Plant the bulbs 4-6 inches deep and 6 inches apart in the fall. The plant can also tolerate clay soils. During the spring growth and bloom, the plant requires regular moisture. However, it can survive in drier conditions after blooming as it enters summer dormancy. It is best to leave the plant undisturbed once planted. Alternatively, you can grow the plant from seeds, but it will bloom in the third or fourth year.