How to Grow Blue Indian Lilies

The blue Indian lily (Camassia leichtlinii) is an attractive perennial. Often planted as an ornamental, the blue Indian lily looks best when planted in groupings as a border or garden cover. In spring, this lily produces bunches of small, star-shaped blue flowers that last throughout the summer. The plant, which grows as a wild flower in many parts of North America, thrives in well-drained soil and full sun but tolerates partial shade. Once established, the blue Indian lily grows well on its own.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

• Hand tiller
• Shovel
• Aged compost
• Rake
• Trowel
• Water

1. Loosen and turn the soil in the flower bed with a hand tiller or shovel to a depth of 6 inches. Remove any plants, rocks and other debris that you uproot.

2. Spread 1 inch of aged compost over the soil. You can make this compost yourself from decayed organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead plants.

3. Mix the compost evenly into the top 6 inches of the soil with your hand tiller or shovel. Rake the soil smooth.

4. Plant the blue Indian lily bulbs so that 1 inch of soil covers the tops of the bulb. Plant neighboring bulbs 6 to 12 inches apart.

5. Water the soil with a gentle spray of water from a watering can or hose. Moisten (do not soak) the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.

6. Water the soil whenever the top 3 to 4 inches dry out until the blue Indian lily bulbs germinate. Afterward, give the bulbs only supplemental water in times of drought.

Tips & Warnings

• Blue Indian lilies grow best in USDA Hardiness zones 3 through 9.

• Aged compost can be purchased at home improvement centers or garden stores.