WILD HYACINTH CAMAS Camassia scilloides
Camassia scilloides is a perennial herb known commonly as Atlantic camas, wild hyacinth, and eastern camas. It is native to the eastern half of North America, including Ontario and the eastern United States.
The species produces inflorescences up to half a meter tall from a bulb 1–3 centimetres (0.39–1.18 in) wide. It has a few leaves each up some 20–60 cm (7.9–23.6 in) long. The flowers have light blue or whitish tepals and yellow anthers.
Type: Perennial
Height: 1-3 feet tall, 12-36"
Location: Sun or part sun
Hardiness zones: 4-8
Note: Poisonous plants and seeds
Seeds per pack: 10
Germination: As with many perennials, these seeds can benefit from a period of moist cold to help them break dormancy. This is done by giving them a cold 'winter' period (artificial or natural), and then a warming to simulate 'spring', and time to grow! Here's how this can be done:
Obtain a planting container that has holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Place the seeds just under the surface of your growing medium, and water. Place your container in a cold area (but not freezing, perhaps a refrigerator) for 4-6 weeks. Once the cold period is completed, place the container at room temperature for them to germinate. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period. Seedlings will sprout a few weeks, or occasionally several months, after the warming period.
If you are planting your seeds in late winter or spring, these seeds can be planted outdoors while it is still cool out (once the ground is workable and unfrozen), to receive the cold period naturally in the garden. It is best to use this method only if you are able to keep the soil moist for the entire germination period. Be sure to label the planting area.
