Wild Hyacinth (Camassia scilloides)
Camassia scilloides, commonly known as Wild Hyacinth, is a native perennial wildflower found in moist prairies, open woodlands, and floodplain meadows throughout Illinois. It prefers rich, well-drained soils and grows best in full sun to partial shade, especially in sites that retain some moisture in spring.
This elegant plant produces upright stalks adorned with loose clusters of star-shaped, pale blue to lavender flowers in mid to late spring. Each flower has six delicate petals and a central yellow-green ovary, adding a soft, airy appearance to naturalized plantings. Wild Hyacinth typically reaches heights of 1.5 to 2 feet and emerges from a bulb, making it a spring ephemeral in some settings.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Camassia scilloides is a beautiful addition to woodland edges, moist prairie gardens, and pollinator-friendly plantings. It provides early-season nectar for bees, butterflies, and other insects, and contributes to seasonal diversity in native landscapes. It pairs well with companions like golden alexanders, wild geranium, and sedges, creating a vibrant and ecologically valuable spring display.
4o
Camassia scilloides, commonly known as Wild Hyacinth, is a native perennial wildflower found in moist prairies, open woodlands, and floodplain meadows throughout Illinois. It prefers rich, well-drained soils and grows best in full sun to partial shade, especially in sites that retain some moisture in spring.
This elegant plant produces upright stalks adorned with loose clusters of star-shaped, pale blue to lavender flowers in mid to late spring. Each flower has six delicate petals and a central yellow-green ovary, adding a soft, airy appearance to naturalized plantings. Wild Hyacinth typically reaches heights of 1.5 to 2 feet and emerges from a bulb, making it a spring ephemeral in some settings.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Camassia scilloides is a beautiful addition to woodland edges, moist prairie gardens, and pollinator-friendly plantings. It provides early-season nectar for bees, butterflies, and other insects, and contributes to seasonal diversity in native landscapes. It pairs well with companions like golden alexanders, wild geranium, and sedges, creating a vibrant and ecologically valuable spring display.
4o
Camassia scilloides, commonly known as Wild Hyacinth, is a native perennial wildflower found in moist prairies, open woodlands, and floodplain meadows throughout Illinois. It prefers rich, well-drained soils and grows best in full sun to partial shade, especially in sites that retain some moisture in spring.
This elegant plant produces upright stalks adorned with loose clusters of star-shaped, pale blue to lavender flowers in mid to late spring. Each flower has six delicate petals and a central yellow-green ovary, adding a soft, airy appearance to naturalized plantings. Wild Hyacinth typically reaches heights of 1.5 to 2 feet and emerges from a bulb, making it a spring ephemeral in some settings.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Camassia scilloides is a beautiful addition to woodland edges, moist prairie gardens, and pollinator-friendly plantings. It provides early-season nectar for bees, butterflies, and other insects, and contributes to seasonal diversity in native landscapes. It pairs well with companions like golden alexanders, wild geranium, and sedges, creating a vibrant and ecologically valuable spring display.
4o
Bloom: mid- to late spring
Habitats: limestone glades; moist black soil prairies; moist open woodlands (particularly along the banks of streams); moist savannas; rocky wooded slopes
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: moisture
Plant type (height): forb (1.5 to 2 feet)
Requirements: fun sun to light shade
Soil: rich loamy soil