Scilla persica

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<em>Scilla</em> <em>persica</em> RHS

Synonyms

Zagrosia persica

Award of Garden Merit
Bulbs

A bulbous perennial with a rosette of lance-shaped green leaves with darker green veins, to 30cm long. Produces conical clusters of up to 70 small, starry pale blue flowers in early summer. Each flower is held out from the main stem on a horizontal, pale green stalk 2-4cm long, with a small white bract at the base

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Ornamental 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
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
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SE Turkey, W Iran

How to Grow

Cultivation

Ideal for naturalising in grass or a gravel garden in full sun and a well-drained soil. Plant bulbs two to three times their depth. See bulb cultivation and bulbs: naturalising

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in pots in a cold frame when ripe, keep shaded and do not allow to dry out. Alternatively remove offsets in summer. See bulb propagation

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to anther smuts and virus diseases