About
A sub-tropical perennial bulb, with a recognisable dark purple colour and thick, glossy green leaves to 30cm long, sometimes speckled with purple. Upright stems bear a bottlebrush-like spike of small, starry pale purple flowers in late autumn or early winter.
About the genus
Scilla are perennial bulbs with narrow basal leaves and erect stems bearing racemes of star-shaped, flat or bell-shaped flowers which are often blue
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitTufted
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesBorders, containers, naturalising in grass.
Native toMadeira, Savage Is
ToxicityOrnamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a well-drained potting mix, in containers with at least twice the bulb depth underneath for the roots. Plant the bulb with the neck and shoulders above the soil. Position in bright indirect light, and provide moderate humidity in growth; keep cool and dry during summer dormancy. See bulb cultivation for more advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or by division, separating offsets when plants are dormant in summer. Plants can be slow to produce offsets. See bulb propagation
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to anther smuts and virus diseases