SCILLA 



THE BULB BOOK 



SCILLA 



leaves 4 to 9 ins. long, i to 1 in. 

 broad, and dense racemes of small 

 blue flowers with spreading segments 

 {Hot. Ma-j. t. S03.3). 



S. monophylla (>'. pumlla). — A 

 pretty Spanish Bluebell, having soli- 

 tary leaves 6 to 9 ins. long, and blue 

 or violet llowers in AprU and May, 

 borne in rather loose clusters {Bot. 

 M-i'j. t. 3023). 



S. natalensis. — A rare species from 

 Xatal, having strap-shaped lanceolate 

 leaves 8 to 12 ins. long, and spreading 

 conici\l trusses of pale yellow or 

 creamy flowers in April {But. Mo-j. t. 

 5379 ;'/7. d. Stir. t. 1043). Green- 

 house. 



S. peruviana, the CuBAX LiLY. — 

 A native of the Mediterranean region, 

 and not of Cuba or Peru as might be 

 imagined from the names. It has 

 large whitish pear-shaped bulbs, and 

 rosettes of strap-shaped leaves 6 to 12 

 ins. long, fringed with white hairs. 

 The beautiful blue starrj' flowei-s are 

 borne in May and Jime, in dense, 

 broadly conical clasters often 6 ins. 

 across. (Bot. Mag. t. 749.) 



The variety [ilabra has lilac flowers 

 and leaves without hairy margins ; 

 and alba has white flowers. 



The bidbs of this species should be 

 planted from 4 to 6 ins. deep in 

 warm and sheltered spots. In severe 

 winters they should be protected with 

 some litter or bracken. 



S. pratensls. — A Dalmatian species 

 with narrow leaves 6 to 12 ins. long, 

 and clusters of blue beU-shaped 

 flowers in April and May [Bot. Reg. 

 1839, t. 63). 



S. puschkinioides. — A pretty little 

 Squill from Turkestan, having narrow 

 leaves and trusses of erect starrj^ pale 

 blue flowers in AprU and May 

 {Gartenji. 1051, f. 1). 



S. sibirica {S. amoenn siOirica ; S. 

 'j»ta:H»/<0.— A well-known and ixjpu- 

 lar Siberian Stiuill, having ovoid 



bulbs, lance-shaped channelled leaves 

 4 to 6 ins. long, and loose racemes of 

 drooping stany beU-shaped flowers, 

 varj-ing from light porcelain blue to 

 deep blue, with a deeper coloured 

 central line (Bot. Mag. tt. 1025, 2408). 



'^^ 



Fig. Z\Z.—Scilla sibi 



There are a few varieties of which 

 alba is pure white and charming ; 

 am<.V7iiila is dwarf er than the type, 

 and produces its brighter blue flowers 

 earlier in the year ; the variety multi- 

 rfora has more flowei-s than in the 

 type ; and lilacina has lavender-tinted 

 blossoms. 



The Siberian Squill flowei-s as early 

 as Februan.-, and is particularly valu- 

 able for planting beneath early- 

 flowering deciduous trees and shrubs ; 

 as well as for the rockerj' and flower- 

 border or greenhouse decoration. 



S. socialis. — A very rare species 

 from Xatal, flowering about Novem- 

 ber in a state of cultivation. 



S. villosa. — A rare Moroccan species, 

 with leaves 3 to 6 ins. long, ciliated 



117 



