598 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
S. hispanica, from Spain and Portugal, came to us first in 1683. The 
exceedingly popular Siberian Squill, S. sibirica, which is a native of 
Asia Minor, was introduced in 1796. S. chinensis came from China in 
1826, and S. pratensis from Dalmatia in the following year. Many others 
have been introduced and may occasionally be seen in gardens, but these 
are those of chief horticultural interest. The undermentioned are all 
hardy, unless otherwise described. 
CILLA AMG@NA (pleasing). Leaves four or five, soft, 
shiny, 6 to 9 inches long. Flowers blue (rarely whitish), 
nearly 4 inch long; raceme three- to six-flowered; scape weak, 4 to 6 
inches high; March. 
S. AUTUMNALIS (autumn). Leaves produced in autumn after the 
flowers, half-round, grooved on upper surface. Flowers reddish purple, 
2 inch across; racemes few-flowered ; scapes several, 3 to 6 inches high ; 
July to September. Native. 
S. BIFOLIA (two-leaved). Leaves usually two only, concave, 4 to 8 
inches long. Flowers blue, occasionally reddish or whitish, half an inch 
across, three to eight in a raceme; scape solitary, 3 to 6 inches high ; 
March. The var. preecox is a more robust form, with larger and more 
numerous flowers (ten to fifteen), which appear earlier, and thicker, 
broader leaves. One form of this variety has reddish flowers. 
S. CHINENSIS (Chinese). Leaves two or three, firm, upper surface 
channeled. Flowers very small, rose-purple, twenty to sixty in a raceme ; 
scape slender, 1 foot high; June. Half-hardy. 
S. HISPANICA (Spanish). Spanish Bluebell; Large Squill. Leaves 
five or six, smooth, convex at back. Flowers somewhat globular, bell- 
shaped, blue, changing to rosy purple or whitish; six to twelve in a 
loose raceme ; scape 6 to 9 inches high; May. Several colour varieties 
are catalogued by the dealers. 
S. HYACINTHOIDES (Hyacinth-like). Leaves ten to twelve, spreading, 
about an inch broad in the middle, narrowing to each end, edges delicately 
fringed. Flowers small, bluish lilac, fifty to one hundred and fifty in a 
raceme ; scape 1 to 2 feet high; August. 
S. NUTANS (nodding). Bluebell (in England); Wild Hyacinth. 
Leaves about six, coneave, 1 to 14 foot long. Flowers blue or purple, 
occasionally white or pink, drooping; six to twelve in a raceme; scape 
solitary, stout, tall; April to June. Native. There are several white 
and red garden forms. 
S. PERUVIANA (Peruvian). Cuban Lily. Leaves six to nine, about 
a foot long, the margins densely fringed with small white bristles. 
Flowers lilac, reddish or whitish; the segments green-striped, half an inch 
Principal Species. 
