Bud like a bolt from the blue

VIVID Camassia quamash is a great peep-through plant for filling gaps in flowerbeds.

A relative of the lily, it is a hardy perennial that produces a large edible bulb, which sprouts violet-blue star-shaped flowers on tall grassy stems.

It is an ideal choice for planting prairie style along with ornamental grasses.

Also known as bear’s grass, bees love it and will hang around in May and June ready to pollinate the flowers. It is wonderful for picking, too.

Camassia is very hardy and succeeds in almost any soil – it will naturalise and spread even in heavy clay soils. It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.