Squills are bulbous plants that belong to the asparagus family and are very easy to care for. The spring bloomers reliably delight the garden every year. With early flowering, squills are valuable to many insects, serving as one of the first food sources in the garden. Squills are ideal for naturalizing and are suitable for planting under trees. As propelled plants in pots, they are ideal as heralds of spring, bringing spring into the room or on the balcony. After flowering, the bulbous plants can be planted outdoors.
Botanical name: Scilla tubergeniana, Scilla mischtschenkoana, Scilla sibirica
Other names: Squill, Squill, Siberian squill, Two-leaved squill, Peruvian squill, Mischteschenko squill, Scilla, Star hyacinth, Two-leaved squill
Use: Bedding plant, rock garden, for naturalising, ground cover, spring flowering plants, for pots, nectar plants, graveyard planting, short-term as a houseplant
Origin: Europe, parts of Asia, a few areas in Africa
Planting time: The bulbs are planted in autumn, advanced squills in Pots can be indoors from January or planted out in a sheltered spot.
heyday: February to April, depending on climatic conditions
Special features:Squills are bulbous flowers that can stand for decades in the ideal location and reproduce under ideal conditions. In nature, Scilla are often found in alluvial forests, where calcareous, moist humus soils make their existence possible. Important to know: The naturally occurring squill is protected! The bulbs are slightly poisonous, which should be taken into account when using them in the garden and as a decoration in the house.
In which location does the squill feel most comfortable?
Scilla are bulbous plants that are extremely easy to care for; they do best in a partially shaded spot in the garden. A spot with well- drained, humus -rich soil and even moisture is ideal. It is important that Scilla onions never have standing water, because they can quickly rot. If the subsoil is too sandy, the flower bulbs get too little water and root formation is inhibited. When planting in autumn, improve the soil with high-quality potting soil and make sure that water drainage is guaranteed. On heavy clay soils, the use of sand is recommendeddrainage. The squill is predestined to be planted under trees, but it is important here that the spring bloomers are sufficiently watered. You can also plant Scilla bulbs in the lawn to naturalize. But only mow the lawn when the squill has drawn in its leaves, or you can leave out the spots with the Scilla flowers when mowing the lawn. Pushed squills are suitable for short-term decoration in the house. The shelf life depends on the room temperature. The bright flowers are also suitable for balcony boxes, bowls, baskets or large planters.
How do I plan my squills in the garden?
Like all spring flowers, the squill is planted as a bulb in late summer and autumn. Or you plan the so-called propelled goods in the spring, which already have roots. With all flower bulbs that are planted in autumn, it is important that the planting is done in good time so that the bulbs can develop roots before winter. The sprouting takes place only after the winter. The main planting season is September to November. The bulbs are very hardy and need to be grown outdoors during the winterbe. Planting onions in spring does not produce any flowers and is therefore not effective.
Planting Scilla bulbs:
- Loosen the soil well and remove all weeds.
- Dig a planting hole approx. 10 cm deep.
- Put some potting soil in the planting hole.
- With organic flower bulb power you can activate and support soil activity. Put this activator in the planting hole before planting or sprinkle it on the surface and work it in.
- Now the bulbs are placed in the planting hole with the tip upwards. As a rule of thumb, onions should be planted twice as deep as the height of the onions. That is, for bulbs with a height of 5 cm, the planting depth is 10 cm.
- Be sure to always plant clusters of Scilla bulbs. Individual onions have no effect.
- Cover the bulbs loosely with the garden soil.
If necessary, you can water the new planting. Our pro tip: The squill is a group plant. The spring bloomers only come into their own when planted extensively. Like a ground cover, the Scilla flower spreads out over the years.
Plant protruding squills
Pots of propelled squills will be available from January. Depending on the weather, you can place the bulbous plants indoors or on the balcony. The flowers are ideal for balcony boxes, baskets or terracotta pots. It is important that the vessels have a water drainage hole. If you use planters, you should pour off the excess water 20 minutes after watering. It is better to place the onions in pots with a drainage hole, because waterlogging causes the onions to rot quickly. The protruding squills are colorful flowers that, depending on the location, delight with delicate blooms for a few weeks. After flowering, Scilla will need flowers not be thrown away. Plant the bulbs in the garden as soon as the foliage has set in.
How do I water my squill correctly?
Like all bulbous plants, Scilla are very frugal and develop leaves and flowers from the bulb. It is important to have even soil moisture in autumn after planting the Scilla bulbs and in spring after flowering. In autumn, newly planted squills need new roots, and this requires water. After flowering in late spring, it is important that the soil does not dry out. The squill suffers as a ground cover, especially when trees are underplanted and when there is no rainfall. Basically, however, Scilla adapt well to the given situations andare tolerant.
How do I fertilize my Scilla?
It is optimal if you supply the spring bloomers with organic flower bulb power when planting in autumn. The special fertilizer increases soil activity and gives the Scilla bulbs the best start. Propelled squills do not require fertilization when planted in containers. The development takes place from the power of the onion. Plantings in the garden that have been in place for several years can be supplied with Kölle organic natural fertilizer or Kölle organic garden fertilizer every year in March. Start fertilizing Scilla when the foliage is about a hand’s breadthhas grown. It is important that you only fertilize until the beginning of flowering, because after flowering the storage organ for summer rest matures and the fertilizer is no longer absorbed. If available, you can also apply a thin layer of well- rotted compost to the scilla’s surface in the fall. This organic matter improves the soil structure and slowly releases nutrients available to the bulb flowers.
What types of squill are there?
There are around 90 species of squill in total. In horticultural culture are mainly the Caucasian squill and the Siberian squill. In the wild, the two-leaved squill (Scilla bifolia) is the most common. It is important to know that the early- flowering species move in in summer and the foliage is therefore no longer visible.
Trivia: Autumn squill (Scilla autumnalis) flowers from August to October. With a height of over 20 centimeters and purple flowers, the special feature delights in late summer.
Diseases and pests in squill
Scilla are hardy and not susceptible to pests and diseases. Problems can arise from a location that is too damp and incorrect care. If the early bloomer does not feel comfortable in one place, the budding may be weak or the hardy plant will not bloom.
FAQ—Frequently Asked Questions
Can Scilla be placed in the room as potted plants?
In the short term it is possible for the squill to be in the room as a decoration. A bright location with temperatures not exceeding 20°C is ideal. In sunny places in the apartment with temperatures above 20 °C, a flower that has been pushed forward can be compared to a bouquet in terms of durability.
Are Scilla suitable as cut flowers?
The squill can be kept indoors as a cut flower for a short time.
How does squill reproduce?
Squills can be propagated by division or by seed. In late summer, dig up the plants, divide the plants into smaller parts and plant them in new places. Propagation by seeds is possible. The seeds obtained can be sown in late summer . If you leave the flowers on the squill, it forms seeds and self-seeding can take place.
For whom are scilla useful as a food source?
Scilla are bee-friendly and ideal for wild bees, bees and bumblebees as a nectar supplier.
After flowering, what happens to the pushed-up, withered flowers?
Do not cut back the plants and keep them light and frost free or plant them directly in the garden. You don’t have to throw away faded scilla ! After flowering, the plant stores the nutrients and goes into the dormant phase. They will sprout again next spring.
Why do the Scilla leaves turn yellow in early summer?
At the end of the growth phase, the onion plants withdraw the nutrients contained in the leaves. As a result, they turn yellow and wither. However, the bulbs store the reserves and are ready for a new shoot next spring. It is important that the leaves are only removed when they are completely dry and can be easily pulled out of the ground. This is the only way for the storage organs to have enough strength for the next year’s budding.
How do I properly care for my squill after flowering in summer and autumn?
It is important that you protect the green and leave it on the plant until it has yellowed and dried up. This process is essential for the flower bulb and influences the budding in the next spring. The bulbs can remain in the ground all year round. If necessary, just chop carefully and water in extremely dry phases. Scilla are frost hardy and do not need winter protection.
What can Scilla be combined with?
Well suited in combination with squills are winter lice, snowdrops, checkered flowers, hyacinths or crocus.