Siberian Squill
The genus Scilla (Family Liliaceae) is a group of early spring
perennials from Europe, Africa, and Asia with more than 100 species, of which
several are grown as ornamentals. The bright blue flowers of Siberian squill (Scilla
siberica) are one of the first of the spring-flowering bulbs to brighten up
the landscape in early spring. Despite the name, it is not from Siberia, but
from other areas of Russia and Eurasia. It is a very tough plant, however,
growing in USDA zones 2 to 8. It has been cultivated since 1796.
Blooming shortly after the snow
crocuses, S. siberica has nodding flowers of intense royal blue produced on arching
stalks up to 6 inches long. The narrow, grass-like, dark green leaves emerge
from the ground in early spring and are soon followed by the flowers. One or
more flower stalks are produced from the center of the rosette of foliage. Each
flower stalk supports a single flower or a raceme of 2-3 flowers. The individual
flowers are up to an inch across, with 6 blue "petals" (technically really
tepals) with a single dark blue vein running down the middle and blue anthers. The
bloom period is about 2 to 3 weeks long, and the flowers have a pleasant floral
fragrance. They are also attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.
Fortunately, unlike many other spring-flowering bulbs, they are not bothered by voles,
chipmunks, rabbits, or deer. The flowers are also very tolerant of late cold
snaps and will not be injured by snow or freezing temperatures.
Fertilized flowers readily form bumpy, roundish seed capsules that contain
several seeds. The pods start out green, but turn brown as they mature, to
eventually split to release the reddish-brown seeds. By early summer the foliage
has died down, and the little round bulbs, covered in a loose dark tunic, remain
dormant in the soil until the next spring.
Plant Siberian squill
in masses and loose drifts for best effect.
Some experts recommend "never plant fewer than 100 bulbs."
They mix well with other early bloomers, such as
giant crocus, yellow winter aconite (Eranthis
hyemalis), snowdrops
(Galanthus spp.) striped squill (Puschkinia
libanitica), light blue Glory-of-the-snow
(Chionodoxa spp.), early
daffodils, including ‘Tete a tete’, ‘Jetfire’, and ‘Dutch Master’
and early tulips, and Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica).
For those who prefer pastel colors in the garden, the bright shades of many
spring-flowering tulips and daffodils can be too intense, but adding blue cools
and softens the effect. And accents of bright yellow accentuates blue flowers.
They can be used in the front of beds
and borders, in the herb or rock gardens,
and interspersed with perennials. Plant them between later-emerging perennials,
such as ferns, hostas or Lamium, so the dying bulb foliage is hidden by
the other plants as they leaf out.
Although they need sun to thrive, they are particularly nice when allowed to
naturalize under deciduous trees and shrubs. The trees’ leafless branches allow
the sun through when the bulbs are actively growing but are starting to do
dormant by the time the trees have completely leafed out.
These
small, delicate beauties need to be viewed close-up, so place them along
walkways and paths, or in drifts along the edge of a lawn, where their small
stature and pleasant fragrance can be appreciated. Or grow them en masse
for impact from a distance.
Culture
Like most bulbs, Siberian squill does best in full to partial sun and in
soils with good drainage and an abundance of organic matter. In wet soils,
crown rot can be a problem. Plant the small bulbs in
the fall, placing them 2 to 3 inches deep and 2 to 4 inches apart. Plant in
groups, preferably at the rate of 20 per square foot, instead of
individually, for maximum impact in the spring. If your space is limited, or
you just want to make some interesting combinations, these small bulbs can
also be planted on top of deeper-planted spring bulbs, such as daffodils and
tulips.
Because of the ephemeral nature of the
foliage, this small bulb can easily be grown in sunny lawns. To plant
Siberian squill in turf, scatter the bulbs randomly in the area you want
them. Then punch or auger a hole in the sod, using a dibble or other
implement (some people suggest a cordless drill with a large bit), wherever
a bulb has fallen. Place the bulb (pointed side up) at the bottom of the
hole and fill in with additional soil. Wait until the bulb's foliage has
started to die down in spring before resuming mowing the lawn. Also, don't
apply herbicides to the area when there is bulb foliage present
– if you must treat for weeds, do that in the fall when the bulbs are dormant
(and many perennial weeds are more likely to be controlled by herbicides
anyway).
Because S. sibirica flowers and matures quickly
– before tree leaves block out sunlight
– they can be grown under deciduous trees. This species adapts readily to
deciduous woodlands and where conditions suit them, they will multiply readily, both by bulb offsets and seed,
to create a carpet of blue flowers. It is more likely to naturalize than
many other spring-blooming flowers from bulbs, but it is not particularly
aggressive.
There are only a few named varieties of
Siberian squill:
- 'Spring Beauty' has somewhat larger
flowers and sturdier stems than the species.
- 'Alba' is a pure white form.
- Scilla sibirica taurica has bright
blue flowers.
S. sibirica is one of the best squills
for forcing. Plant at least a dozen together in a pot, placing the bulbs about 2½
inches deep. Chill for about 6 weeks before bringing into warmer conditions to
stimulate blooming.
– Susan Mahr, UW-Madison
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