Forcing Camassia and Fritillaria Bulbs

February 12, 2025

It's a week of snow and freezing rain here in the Northeast, but inside my greenhouse, I'm forcing bulbs - a technique used by gardeners to bring the beauty of spring blooms indoors during the depths of winter.

I force amaryllis bulbs every year, but this year I decided I wanted to force others, such as checkered Fritillaria meleagris and the beautiful blue star-shaped Camassia. I love both these flowers and grow them outdoors in abundance. Last week, my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, filled three pots of these bulbs from Colorblends Flowerbulbs - a third generation wholesale flower merchant in nearby Bridgeport, Connecticut. Soon I will have them blooming wonderfully in my home. I can't wait.

Enjoy these photos.

: Every spring, my pergola garden is filled with light blue and purple Camassia. Camassia forms clusters of linear, strappy foliage around upright racemes. Camassia is a genus of plants in the asparagus family native to Canada and the United States.

: The flower stalks stand 24 to 30 inches tall and display dozens of florets that open from the bottom up. Camassia is also known as camas, wild hyacinth, Indian hyacinth, and quamash.

: I also grow lots of Fritillaria around my farm. Commonly known as Guinea Hen Flower, Checkered Lily or Snake’s Head Fritillary, Fritillaria meleagris is an heirloom species dating back to 1575.

: Each Fritillaria bloom has pendant, bell-shaped, checkered and veined flowers that are either maroon or ivory-white with grass-like foliage on slender stems.

: To force both these bulb types, Ryan fills wide mouthed planter pans that can accommodate all the bulbs. He’s using Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix, which protects against any over- or under-watering.

: Ryan also mixes in Osmocote fertilizer. The slow-release prills filled with nutrients feed the plants for up to six months.

: Ryan plants the Camassia bulbs first. Ryan gently pushes each bulb down into the soil, so it is well-anchored. And, just as it is done outside, always plant bulb roots pointed down.

: Any bulbs used for forcing should be dense and heavy and free from mold, mildew, discoloration, or a peeling outer shell.

: The bulbs can be placed close together. They will hold one another upright and show beautifully in maximum bloom.

: Ryan covers all the bulbs with another layer of potting mix.

: These planter pans are made by master potter, Ben Wolff. I have the largest known collection of planters made by Ben and his father, Guy.

: Ryan covers the soil with a layer of pea stone. It looks decorative and will also help to bolster the stems as they grow.

: Next, Ryan fills another pot with ‘Snake’s Head’ Fritillaria bulbs.

: These bulbs are smaller and each one produces grassy foliage and one or more stems topped with a single dangling bloom.

: One by one, Ryan places the bulbs on top of the soil, point up, next to one another. Don’t worry about crowding – the more the merrier.

: Forcing bulbs essentially means to create the conditions needed to trigger blooming. And forcing needs patience – it can take six to eight weeks or sometimes as long as 13 weeks for the bulbs to come into flower.

: Once again, Ryan covers the bulbs with potting soil.

: He pats it down slightly to compact the soil mix. Because Fritilllaria meleagris is more delicate, Ryan leaves this vessel as is. The flowers will emerge through the soil.