Scilla Siberica at its best
The scilla siberica is in bloom here in RI right now. It’s such a fleeting show – over by May – but so welcome. When I lived in Montreal, people in my neighborhood planted it extensively, and it would form vast carpets of the most intense blue. It doesn’t seem to be as popular here, but I did drive by a lovely carpet of it recently, which inspired me to write this post.
Scilla also goes by the names of “Squill” and “Spring Beauty.” It’s easy to plant in the fall, and I think it is best appreciated in large drifts. Being so small, the bulbs aren’t expensive, so plant lots. Just make sure they have good drainage, and you will be amply rewarded come spring.
Scilla are members of the Hyacinthaceae family. They are tough as nails, tolerating the coldest winters, however they are not from Siberia, as their name implies. (They originated in Russia, Turkey and the Caucasus.)
Here’s one more nice thing about scilla: once the plants have produced seeds, they die back and disappear, just in time for the first lawn mowing of the season.
Digging RI 
Those are GORGEOUS!! How wonderful to see blue flowers.
LikeLike
Don’t you have them where you live? Maybe it doesn’t get cold enough….
LikeLike
I love these too! I planted a few on one side of my raised bed herb garden a few years ago and they have covered the entire bed! A few have escaped to the lawn also but they’re so cheerful I don’t mind at all.
LikeLike
Talk about bang for your buck. I’m going to plant tons of these in the fall.
LikeLike
dirtynailz,
I’m a master gardener doing a presentation on bulbs. May I use your slide of the Scilla siberica in a powerpoint if I site you as the source? If I could hear back before the end of March I could include it in the next talk I’m giving. Thank you.
LikeLike
Hi, and thanks for reading!
As I recall, that photo was on Wiki, and therefore free to use. Just use whatever attribution I have given it.
Good luck with your presentation…
DN
LikeLike