Ledebouria cooperi
African squill, Cooper's African squill
Also known as Scilla adlamii, Scilla cooperi, Ledebouria adlamii
- Height × spread
- 0.1m × 0.05m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This makes a clump of upright leaves. They look a little like short leather belts with well-ordered longitudinal striations neatly applied. They make erect foliage clumps. The flowers take the form of small clusters close packed onto the flowering stems and opening as stars. They are coloured a warm pink purple shade. They are full of charm and the contrast between the neatness of the leaves and the enthusiasm of the blooms is appealing. These are best grown in an alpine or greenhouse.
- Flower colour
- Mauve, Pink, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.1m
- Spread
- 0.05m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Feed with high potash feed several times
Apply a fertiliser that is high in potash (potassium) several times while the plant is in flower.
Where fertiliser values are listed on a packet they are in order - nitrogen, phosphate, potassium with percentage values of each. For high potash choose a fertiliser where potassium is higher.
Spring - late · Planting
Divide when too large
When the plant is too large clumps may be divided into two or more pieces. Rhizomes can be cut, whilst small bulbs or offsets are detached. The new plants can be grown in a container or planted in the ground.