Camassia trial 2024–2025

Objectives and purpose of the trial

The RHS has not trialled Camassia (quamash) before, so this is an opportunity to see how the different species and cultivars perform side by side in the same bed at RHS Bridgewater, Greater Manchester. Those that perform best will be awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Currently, no camassias hold an AGM.
Soft subtle colours of camassias shine in the sun
Upright spikes of camassias draw attention in the garden

Judges and criteria

Judging criteria

The following factors are all taken into consideration as part of the judging of the trial:

  • Overall appearance (proportions, sturdiness, foliage)
  • Flower impact: colour, size, shape and number of florets per spike
  • Length of flowering

  • Pest, disease and weather resistance
  • Uniformity of height and colour

List of plants in the trial

View all the camassias on trial at RHS Bridgewater
  • Camassia ‘Blue Candle’
  • Camassia ‘Blue Heaven’
  • Camassia cusickii 
  • Camassia cusickii ‘Zwanenburg’
  • Camassia leichtlinii ‘Aurora’
  • Camassia leichtlinii Avon’s Stellar Group 
  • Camassia leichtlinii ‘Pink Star’
  • Camassia leichtlinii ‘Sacajawea’ (v) 
  • Camassia leichtlinii ‘Semiplena’ (d) 
  • Camassia leichtlinii ‘Silk River’
  • Camassia leichtlinii ‘Sweet Candle’
  • Camassia leichtlinii subsp. leichtlinii 
  • Camassia leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii ‘Blauwe Donau’
  • Camassia leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii Caerulea Group 
  • Camassia leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii (Caerulea Group) ‘Maybelle’
  • Camassia leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii ‘Electra’
  • Camassia leichtlinii ‘Violet Candle’
  • Camassia quamash
  • Camassia quamash ‘Blue Melody’ (v) 
  • Camassia quamash ‘Orion’
RHS Award of Garden Merit logo
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Get in touch

For more information on our RHS Plant Trials or to access older trial reports, please get in touch with our team via email at [email protected].

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