![close up of a flowering camas plant](/sites/default/files/images/support/giving/camas-500x500.jpg)
A Camas Prairie
A key feature of the landscape is sweeping Camas meadow. Camas is a traditional food source for Native peoples throughout Washington.
For thousands of years, camas prairies have been cultivated using techniques like burning, weeding and selective harvesting. These wild camas prairies once covered much of Washington but are becoming more and more rare. Great camas, death camas, fawn lily, and chocolate lily seeds were collected by Oxbow for the Burke during a trip to the San Juan Islands in 2015.
Native peoples of Washington state have many uses and traditions associated with these plants, and intergenerational sharing continues to pass this plant knowledge from generation to generation. The Burke Camas meadow will bring a new resource for teaching and learning to our front door.
Highlights
- 95% of the plants in the Burke landscape were grown from seed. Growing from seed is slower, but has important long-term benefits. When plants are grown using other methods, like cuttings or dividing root balls, each new plant is genetically identical to the original plant. When grown from seed, each individual plant is genetically different from one another, creating a more resilient group of plants.
- Many species were grown in the Oxbow nursery for four years before finally being planted at the Burke!
- The evergreen huckleberry plants were started from seed three years ago in order to reach the size they are at the Burke now.
- Oregon grape seed needs a treatment lasting 120 days in order for the seed to germinate and sometimes can take up to two seasons to germinate. On the other hand, yarrow seed can be sown and will germinate about 1 week later.
- Plant species like wild ginger thrive in the moist forest understory, so Oxbow grew them in a shady space, with plenty of irrigation and organic matter in their soil to keep them happy.
- Species like sedum and succulents love to be in the hot sun and remain fairly dry, so they were grown in brighter areas, sandier soil, and with careful attention to not overwatering them.
Trees
![close up of a tree](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Pseudotsuga-menziesii-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=oNUqjRQ2)
Douglas fir
![Close up of a tree branch](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Thuja-plicata-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=a94f0Qgw)
Western red cedar
![close up of a tree branch](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Acer-macrophyllum-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=LudL-NUl)
Big-leaf maple
![close up of a tree branch](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Fraxinus-latifolia_GDCarr-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=qI2iirz9)
Oregon ash
![close up of a tree branch](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Quercus-garryana-RobertLCarr-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=Dk6icffh)
Garry oak
![close up of a tree branch](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Arbutus-menziesii-RodGilbert-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=KMiCBm3J)
Pacific madrone
![close up of a tree branch](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Acer-circinatum-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=fKSiFbdg)
Vine maple
![close up of a tree branch](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Acer-douglasii-ClaytonAntieau-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=LU9mOtIr)
Douglas maple
![close up of a tree branch](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Rhamnus-purshiana-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=P1Sbc6hj)
Cascara
![close up of a tree branch](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Taxus-brevifolia-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=V_3a6h-V)
Pacific yew
![close up of a tree branch](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Tsuga-heterophylla-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=J6bIePOz)
Western hemlock
Gaultheria Shallon Mix
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Gaultheria-shallon-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=wlx5Xua5)
Salal
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Vaccinium-ovatum_JimRiley-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=DmlquESt)
Evergreen huckleberry
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Fragaria-virginiana-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=gD02UthA)
Virginia strawberry
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Sedum-oreganum-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=EzI9wjoi)
Oregon stonecrop
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Sedum-divergens_JimRiley-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=9Xwe579v)
Spreading stonecrop
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Sedum-spathulifolium-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=yAUW51VR)
Broadleaf stonecrop
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Potentilla-anserina-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=U73RmTHR)
Silverweed cinquefoil
Sun Shrub Mix
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Vaccinium-ovatum_JimRiley-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=DmlquESt)
Evergreen huckleberry
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/arctostaphylos-xmedia_ClaytonJAntieau-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=vQ6mrAI5)
Manzanita 'Martha Swan'
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Fragaria-vesca-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=HAAknKCB)
Woodland strawberry
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Grindelia-integrifolia-DanaVisalli-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=yXs8NcrR)
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Potentilla-anserina-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=U73RmTHR)
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Arctostaphylos-uva-ursi-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=OKndvdLp)
Kinnikinnick
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Achillea-millefolium-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=lbt_Jpv7)
Common yarrow
Dryopteris Filix-Mas Mix
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Dryopteris-filix-mas-JWilliamThompson-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=B3Mpu8Zq)
Male fern
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/athyrium-filix-femina-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=Me4pIexs)
Lady fern
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Asarum-caudatum-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=LErcR0UA)
Western wild ginger
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/maianthemum-racemosum-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=sQdx-iwm)
False Solomon's seal
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Maianthemum-dilatatum-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=r172uOE5)
False lily of the valley
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Oxalis-oregana-TimHagan-225X225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=tvEUPz59)
Redwood sorrel
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Gymnocarpium-dryopteris-JimRiley-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=fXhSyCzr)
Oak fern
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Tellima-grandiflora-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=Mt7r_iLq)
Fringecups
Polystichum Munitum Mix
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Polystichum-munitum-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=2pyQHOLu)
Sword fern
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Mahonia-nervosa-JimRiley-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=dLzgiuIx)
Dwarf Oregon grape
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Cornus-unalaschkensis-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=KYRvBeqP)
Western bunchberry
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Trillium-ovatum-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=feCym_qA)
Western white trillium
![close up of a plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Vancouveria-hexandra-JimRiley-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=zKQFQYGg)
Inside-Out flower
Camas Field Mix
![close up of a plant in a person's hand](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Festuca-roemeri-ReginaJohnson-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=ZR182C0C)
Roemer’s fescue
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Carex-pachystachya-FredWeinmann-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=rmkOvjVK)
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Lewisia-columbiana-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=gCBjJQ08)
Columbian lewisia
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Grindelia-integrifolia-Dana-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=9XPmpl8e)
Gumweed
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Erythronium-oregonum-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=r2Y2nCUa)
Fawn lily
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Allium-acuminatum-BruceSkotland-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=HamqOsJc)
Taper-tip onion
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Allium-cernuum-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=21qwmvd-)
Nodding onion
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Erigeron-speciosus-RodGilbert-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=fKBsGJDK)
Showy fleabane
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Chamaenerion-angustifolium-BruceSkotland-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=W6GLWM3z)
Fireweed
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Toxicoscordion-venenosum-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=C_KFz_Bz)
Death camas
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Fritillaria-affinis-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=GmJgnu3Y)
Chocolate lily
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Lomatium-nudicaule-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=TUQPxrYS)
Indian consumption plant
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Lomatium-utriculatum-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=f4EYobbh)
Bladder parsnip
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Lupinus-albicaulis-RodGilbert-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=zDIymVZN)
Sicklekeel lupine
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Eriophyllum-lanatum-Bruce-Skotland-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=NjOBncoC)
Oregon sunshine
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Achillea-millefolium-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=lbt_Jpv7)
Common yarrow
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Camassia-quamash-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=LsFm3Zfv)
Common camas
![close up of a flowering plant](/sites/default/files/styles/450x450/public/images/exhibits/landscape/Camassia-leichtlinii-225x225.png?h=ffed8f21&itok=dVMxNn23)