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Squill Scilla mischtschenkoana

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Squill:

Previously known as:

  • Scilla tubergeniana
Phonetic Spelling
SIL-uh miss-tscheng-koh-AY-nuh
Description

An early spring bulb with showy white flowers in the Lily family.  Plant at the base of a tree for a great spring show, or a rock or cottage garden. It can naturalize in a lawn and bloom before the first time the grass needs mowing. It prefers full sun during bloom time and sandy loam but will adapt to other soils if they are well-drained. Foliage goes dormant by summer.

Blooms in late winter or early spring, spreads readily and is often planted in lawns as well as rock gardens, under deciduous trees, in shrub borders and flower beds. Looks best massed planted.

Quick ID

  • Linear, grass-like leaves
  • Flower scapes with 6 star-shaped white-blue flowers
  • Tepals have outer darker stripe; ovary is superior

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Tubergeniana'
'Tubergeniana'
Tags:
#showy flowers#low maintenance#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#mass planting#edging#naturalizes#rock garden#fantz#spring flowering bulbs
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Tubergeniana'
'Tubergeniana'
Tags:
#showy flowers#low maintenance#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#mass planting#edging#naturalizes#rock garden#fantz#spring flowering bulbs
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Scilla
    Species:
    mischtschenkoana
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    S. Transcaucasus to NW. Iran
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1/2 to 1-inch pale blue to white flowers in a loose, scapose raceme in Feb. to March. 6 petal-like tepals have a darker blue center vein.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are basal, linear, flat, emerging at flowering. 2.5 to 4 inches long by about 0.4 inches wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits