Scilla

The genus Scilla, contains about 80 species of bulbous perennial plants with characteristic linear or lanceolate leaves and stellate flowers collected in a brush or scutellum on a leafless short stem, blooming in early spring. Flowering often begins before the leaves appear. The range of colors - from blue and purple to blue, pink, almost white, but still a rich blue color prevails. Siberian woodland (Scilla sibirica), 15 cm high, is the most interesting species. Ovate bulbs produce several flower-bearing shoots with 1-5 bell-shaped drooping flowers up to 2 cm in diameter with dark stripes or pure white. Varieties with dark blue flowers are bred. The autumn Scilla (S. autumnalis) with a height of 10-20 cm blooms pink flowers in autumn. Two-leaved Scilla (S. bifolia, or S. nivalis) - a species 10-20 cm high with two linear leaves. The peduncle is 12 cm high and bears up to 8 flowers, wide-open blue, rarely purplish-blue or whitish. Spanish Scilla (S. hispanica) - a species with a height of 30 cm. Leaves 5-6, peduncle bears up to 10 flowers. The flowers are bell-shaped blue, pink-purple. Scilla peruviana (S. peruviana) is a species 20-25 cm high with lilac flowers blooming in April-May, collected in brushes. Scilla tubergeniana is a species with a height of 8-15 cm. It has light blue flowers with central greenish-blue stripes on the perianth lobes. It begins to bloom very early in spring, with several flowering stems growing from each bulb.

The genus Scilla, contains about 80 species of bulbous perennial plants with characteristic linear or lanceolate leaves and stellate flowers collected in a brush or scutellum on a leafless short stem, blooming in early spring. Flowering often begins before the leaves appear. The range of colors - from blue and purple to blue, pink, almost white, but still a rich blue color prevails.

Siberian woodland (Scilla sibirica), 15 cm high, is the most interesting species. Ovate bulbs produce several flower-bearing shoots with 1-5 bell-shaped drooping flowers up to 2 cm in diameter with dark stripes or pure white. Varieties with dark blue flowers are bred.

The autumn Scilla (S. autumnalis) with a height of 10-20 cm blooms pink flowers in autumn.

Two-leaved Scilla (S. bifolia, or S. nivalis) - a species 10-20 cm high with two linear leaves. The peduncle is 12 cm high and bears up to 8 flowers, wide-open blue, rarely purplish-blue or whitish.

Spanish Scilla (S. hispanica) - a species with a height of 30 cm. Leaves 5-6, peduncle bears up to 10 flowers. The flowers are bell-shaped blue, pink-purple.

Scilla peruviana (S. peruviana) is a species 20-25 cm high with lilac flowers blooming in April-May, collected in brushes.

Scilla tubergeniana is a species with a height of 8-15 cm. It has light blue flowers with central greenish-blue stripes on the perianth lobes. It begins to bloom very early in spring, with several flowering stems growing from each bulb.

Cultivation

Scilla is grown in the open ground, burying several bulbs to a depth of 4-8 cm next to deciduous trees and shrubs, which create an ideal microclimate for growth and subsequent flowering. Less commonly grown in pots at home. In this case, the bulbs are planted in September-October in the ground, consisting of peat, earth and sand, taken in equal parts, with the addition of fertilizer. After flowering, the bulbs are planted in the ground in the open air. Scilla grows well in loose soil with leafy humus. Use it for planting on lawns, for curbs, as well as for forcing.

Scilla is grown in the open ground, burying several bulbs to a depth of 4-8 cm next to deciduous trees and shrubs, which create an ideal microclimate for growth and subsequent flowering.

Less commonly grown in pots at home. In this case, the bulbs are planted in September-October in the ground, consisting of peat, earth and sand, taken in equal parts, with the addition of fertilizer. After flowering, the bulbs are planted in the ground in the open air. Scilla grows well in loose soil with leafy humus. Use it for planting on lawns, for curbs, as well as for forcing.

Location

Although partial shade is also suitable for these plants, they prefer very well-lit places.

Temperature

Scilla are resistant to both high and low air temperatures, but are afraid of winter frosts.

Watering

When grown outdoors, watering them is almost never necessary; when grown in a pot, it should not be superfluous.

Reproduction

During the dormant period of the plant (summer-autumn), the bulbs are removed from the ground, the children are separated and immediately planted again. Flowering occurs in 1-2 years.

Diseases

Nematodes can infect bulbs in excessively moist soil, causing rotting. Rust causes pustules to form on the leaves, and then the plant slowly wilts. Treat with dithiocarbamates.

Acquisition

Bulbs are easy to find even in supermarkets. Already blooming potted plants are sold in flower shops and gardening centers.