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Native alternative(s) for Drimia maritima:
Yucca filamentosa Form in bloom
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Allium Alllium
Allium tuberosum Form
Dianthus deltoides Dianthus deltoides

Drimia maritima

Previously known as:

  • Urginea maritima
Phonetic Spelling
Da-RY-mee-a ma-RIT-iy-muh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Sea squill is a large bulb in the asparagus family native to the Mediterranean coastal areas of southern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. The word Drimia in Greek means “acrid” or “pungent”, due to the irritating sap produced and maritima means by the sea. While in bloom it can reach 4-7 feet tall. 

The basal leaves are strap-like and fleshy and appear in the winter. The flowers appear as tall spikes of white flowers in late summer and are pollinated by both wind and insects. The large bulbs can reach 8 inches across. It needs protection below 28F and will need to be brought indoors in colder climates.

Plant in the garden with only the top inch of the bulb above ground level and spaced 18-24 inches apart to allow individual clumps to spread. The soil needs to be well-drained, sandy soils being best, but can be grown in heavier soils if on a slope. They prefer full sun to partial shade.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Lone Ranger'
    Bulb does not split to form additional bulbs
'Lone Ranger'
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#poisonous#low maintenance#rock garden#sandy soils tolerant#container plant#coastal plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Lone Ranger'
    Bulb does not split to form additional bulbs
'Lone Ranger'
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#poisonous#low maintenance#rock garden#sandy soils tolerant#container plant#coastal plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Drimia
    Species:
    maritima
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The red bulb (variety rubra) contains the rat poison "scilliroside", while the white bulb is used as a cardiotonic.
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Follicles open when ripe, each containing one smooth, polished, brown seed
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Stalks of white flowers are sometimes tinged with purple-red striations on the sepals. They are star-shaped with 6 petals. Blooms late summer into autumn. Some varieties have redish flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are 12-18 inches long by 4 inches wide and are blue-green glaucus strap-shaped leaves that emerge in late fall and last into the following summer in the southwest USA.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Tall leafless green stem
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain if eaten
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cardiac glycosides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Seeds
    Stems