Scilla madeirensis

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Synonyms

Autonoe madeirensis

Bulbs Conservatory Greenhouse
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A sub-tropical perennial bulb, with a distinctive dark purple colour and thick, glossy green leaves to 30cm long, sometimes speckled with purple. Upright stems bear a bottlebrush-like spike of small, starry pale purple flowers in late autumn or early winter

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

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

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
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)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
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
Madeira, Savage Is

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a well-drained potting mix, in containers with at least twice the bulb depth underneath for the roots. Plant the bulb with the neck and shoulders above the soil. Position in bright indirect light, and provide moderate humidity in growth; keep cool and dry during summer dormancy. See bulb cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division, separating offsets when plants are dormant in summer. Plants can be slow to produce offsets. See bulb propagation

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to anther smuts and virus diseases