Scilla liliohyacinthus 'Alba'

RHS Plant Profile
Pyrenean squill 'Alba'

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Pyrenean squill 'Alba' RHS
Pyrenean squill 'Alba' RHS

Synonyms

Scilla liliohyacinthus white form

Bulbs

A bulbous perennial with glossy green, broadly strap-shaped leaves held semi-erect. Spikes of white, star-shaped flowers to around 20cm tall are produced in spring

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 North–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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
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
Unresolved

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

  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to anther smuts and virus diseases