Scilla
Squill
- Height × spread
- 0.1m – 0.9m × 0.03m – 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 90 species of scilla, though only a few species are generally seen in gardens. There are a number of cultivars available. They grow naturally over a considerable area that includes Asia, Europe and South Africa. They are generally hardy bulbs, spring flowering, that can establish themselves easily. Most forms are tiny, Scilla sibirica forms reaching around 15 cm in height. Other varieties are larger and more exotic. These include elegant Scilla peruviana with plump heads of blue flowers and the 90 cm high Scilla hyacinthoides that has masses of starry blue flowers.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Lilac, Pink, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Column, Dome, Fan
- Height
- 0.1m – 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.03m – 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Winter
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Wild flower meadow, Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Rock garden, Mediterranean garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Give a general purpose feed two or three times during the growing season, preferably not within a month of its end so the plant isn't encouraged to make fresh young growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
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.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Found in
More Scilla
Scilla
Glory of the snow
Scilla bifolia
Twinleaf squill, Spanish bluebell, Alpine squill
Scilla forbesii
Glory of the snow
Scilla forbesii 'Blue Giant'
Glory of the snow
Scilla liliohyacinthus
Hyacinth scilla
Scilla litardierei
Meadow squill
Scilla luciliae Gigantea Group
Glory of the snow, Boissier's glory of the snow
Scilla luciliae Gigantea Group 'Pink Giant'
Glory of the snow