Description
Siberian squill is one of the most commonly grown small bulbs. It comes from the Balkans, Asia Minor and southern Russia.
It is a small plant, up to 25 cm tall, that flowers in early spring. Its blue or violet flowers look like hanging bells. Varieties differ in height, colour, shape and number of flowers per stem. It is used in rock gardens, in groups on lawns and between loosely planted ornamental shrubs.
Requirements
It needs humus-rich, free-draining, slightly moist soil in a sunny or partially shaded position.
Propagation
Siberian squill is propagated by offset bulbs or by seed sown outdoors in autumn, 10 cm apart. Cover the beds with peat for the winter. Seedlings start flowering after 2–3 years. Plant bulbs in their final position 15–20 x 10–12 cm apart; they also need winter cover.
Care
The plant is frost-hardy, but in snowless, severe winters it may freeze, so it is worth giving it a light cover.