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Establishing a camas meadow in Oregon

17 years ago

Hi all!

I am interested in replacing a part of my yard with a meadow of native Pacific NW plants, in particular camassia quamash. The area is low, stays wet in winter and dries out hard in summer, which I believe are the conditions to which camas is well adapted. What I would like to know is if camas can compete in lawn grass, or if I would need to eradicate the grass. If I get rid of the grass, what would be good to replace it with? (Since camas is a summer dormant bulb, I would need something to grow with it.) I have literally thousands of camas bulbs that I grew from seed. I have found a lot of information on the net relative to the culture of camassia, but not much about what 'companion plants' would be likely candidates in a camas meadow. Any advice is appreciated!

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Comments (6)

kwoods
17 years ago
Hi, I didn't know anything about camas meadows before reading your post, it intrigued me so I started looking online.

Here is a site I found with info on camas meadows preserve in Chelan county WA. They have a brochure in pdf format which lists a number of plant species.

Also this on the Checkered Mallow lists a number of companion species.

Maybe visit the preserve to get more info? Good luck, it sounds like an interesting and worthwhile project! Hope this helps.
willameadows
Original Author
17 years ago
thanks! The PDF brochure was very informative - makes me want to visit the site, although it is in central Washington, which is quite a ways from here. I would love to go in the spring, when the camas is blooming!
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hobbyfarmgirl
17 years ago
I did my undergrad research Thesis on Camassia quamash in the Willamette Valley several years ago. I studied many populations of quamash growing in pasture grass, and a few in places that could be considered 'lawns.' The camas comes up and blooms before the grass gets too long, so they appear to be fine as companians. As long as you can let your grass grow until late in the summer, I bet the Camas will do well. I would clear several inces of grass around each bulb when you plant to give it room to develop.
willameadows
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks farmgirl! Sounds like you could be a great resource. Do you know from your research what other plants I should be looking for as companion plants for the camassia? I know of Deschampsia caespitosa, and have some started from seed, but that's about it. I don't want Zigadensus! It's a small area, about 12' x 20'. I'd like more flowering forbs, as well as grasses, if they are appropriate. Any suggestions?
JAYK
17 years ago
Is this preserve closer to you?

Here is a link that might be useful: Camassia Natural Area- Oregon
willameadows
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Jayk!
Yes, that is close - within 50 miles anyway. I will make a note to visit there next spring when the camas is blooming!

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