Every year I check out the bulb catalogues and consider ordering Camassia and then for one reason or another I don't. I am drawn to Blue Melody as I'm a sucker for variegated foliage, but am not sure if this would be the best choice for my zone. Other options would be Leichlanii or Cucksii. Any insight as to which variety would be the best choice keeping in mind hardiness and attractiveness. I would only have space for one variety.

The leichianii and cucksii types tend to be taller, and C. quamash is shorter and less expensive. The height may make it easier to decide. I've only grown the C.quamash types and they perform well and make great perennials.

How long does the foliage hang around on these bulbs and are they much of an increaser?

The foliage doesn't hang around long, similar to a tulip in that regard. They do increase steadily in my garden, but not as prolific as daffodils.

I just realized I also grow C. leichtlinii Blue Danube too. I had forgotten about them because a spruce had overwhelmed the spot they were growing and had stopped blooming. They're in a new home and started blooming again this past spring. I would describe its growth and increase as similar to C. quamash.

A few years ago I discovered some growing wild near a stream bank while driving a back road near my home. I'm not sure what species they are, but I did snag a few bulbs for the garden. I guess that means I stole them, but there had been dozing work done that had exposed the bulbs- I couldn't stop myself, LOL.

Here is C. quamash this spring


This is the rescued roadside wildling.

From information I'm finding about the native range, habitat, and traits of C. cusickii, I believe that is the wild species above.

Oh they're both lovely Neal. Thanks for the pics. I definitely will order the Quamash, I have been trying to add more natives to my garden so they will fit the bill nicely.
I don't consider rescuing plants as stealing; I've saved a few myself. How lucky you are to have those wild plants growing near you.

Oooohh, I just found the pics I took of the Camassias growing wild from 2013! There were so many other wildflowers blooming too, it was gorgeous. The road runs alongside a stream and there was some dozer work and road widening going on.

Good conservation effort on your part, Neal.

Neals Camassia look really super. Having big clumps like that is for sure how it should be planted

I have grown 'Blue Melody' but it didn't really like it here, never bloomed much and the foliage was a bit floppy. I do have a dry sandy soil, so I tried planting it where it would get a bit more moisture, but it's possible that it still didn't get enough or that it would have liked a bit more sun. I ended up discarding it after a few years as other bulbs do much better here and this one would never naturalise here. However I have been thinking about planting some of the larger ones (in particularly I like the sky blue color of Camassia leichtlinii 'Blue Heaven') and perhaps will do so next year, so thanks for reminding me with this thread and thanks to Neal for posting those lovely images.

Thanks William! C. quamash is very inexpensive, that clump is 100 bulbs for about $15. Being so dainty, I'm really loving the mass effect. I'd tried them in little clusters here and there in the past, and that made little or no visual impact. The taller species are significantly pricier, but I think the added height would make a clump of 5-10 bulbs enough to create an attractive grouping in the garden. They are very graceful, and the form contrasts nicely with other plants in the garden.

I keep thinking if C. leichtlinii Semiplena is still available when the clearance sales start, I might bite... 'Blue Heaven' is really lovely too, and also tempting.