Puschkinia scilloides var. libanotica 'Alba'

RHS Plant Profile

Lebanon striped squill 'Alba'

Synonyms

Puschkinia scilloides 'Alba'

Bulbs

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A low-growing bulb to around 15cm high, with pairs of linear, semi-upright green leaves. Produces sprays of six to eight small, star-shaped white flowers in early to mid spring

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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: 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: Columnar upright
Genus: Puschkinia is a dwarf bulbous perennial with erect basal leaves and racemes of star-shaped pale blue flowers, each tepal with a darker blue central stripe
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Thrives in moist soil but will not tolerate waterlogging. Suitable for naturalising (see bulbs: naturalising for advice)

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in summer or autumn in containers in a cold frame, or by division, separate offsets as the leaves die down

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a virus