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A large growing Scilla that does well in gardens locally. I have introduced it to the new herbaceous border to add interest to the early part of the season.
It may well spread more widely through the garden eventully but I don't think it will be nuisance. Plants of the World online sys: "The native range of this species is Central & S. France to N. Spain. It is a bulbous geophyte and grows primarily in the temperate biome." Writing in 'The Plantsman' in 2005, Brian Mathew says: "this is one of the most distinct of Scilla species, even in the character of its bulbs which are somewhat like thse of a lily with loosely imbricate scales. The compact tufts of many bright shiny green leaves are also instantly recognisable and an attrctive feature. Unfortunately, for the amount of leaf, the flowers are not showy, smallish and pale to mid lilac-blue. However, for a woodland situation or dappled shade it is a pleasing plant and certainly not to be dismissed." Paul Christian says in his 'Rare Plants' catalogue: "This is capable of carpeting the ground with attractive foliage and flowers, yet it is never invasive. It makes strap-shaped, prostrate foliage below spikes of pure blue flowers on 25 cm stems, in April/May. By late July the whole plant has died back to a lily-like, scaled bulb (hence its name) and there it stays until the following March when its fresh green foliage suddenly appears again. Well mannered and very useful in the right spot where it can be given light, leafy half shade. Very hardy." |
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| 21st March 2024 | ||