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International Flower Bulb Centre
Liliaceae
Scilla bifolia
Alpine Squill
Small clusters of pale starry flowers are produced by this small ephemeral bulb at the cusp of spring. Over time, alpine squill will naturalize in beds and grassy lawns, and though it lacks the electric color of its fellow blue-flowered relative, Siberian squill, it is still highly garden worthy. Wild populations inhabit the mountains of southern Europe and Turkey, but this species has also naturalized in other parts of Europe.
Each bulb only produces two broad, blade-like leaves that pop up in very late winter or early spring. Accompanying the leaves is a slender flower stem that produces a one-sided raceme with three to ten star-shaped flowers. Each six-petaled bloom may be medium or pale violet-blue. Some variants have white flowers. The flowers are pollinated by bees and followed by bulbous capsules filled with viable seeds. The foliage will remain for a short time after flowering and then quickly die back in mid to late spring.
Grow alpine squill in well-drained, average to fertile soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. While in flower the plants should receive moisture and full to partial sun. They are safe to plant under deciduous trees because they flower before the trees leaf out. Dormant bulbs will tolerate and even benefit from dry summer conditions. This species spreads via seeds and dividing bulbs. It is ideal for naturalizing in rock gardens, meadows and mixed borders. It looks pretty planted among very early spring daffodils, Grecian windflowers and golden crocus. The sweet selection, 'Rosea', has delicious light pink flowers. X Chionoscilla allenii is the beautiful hybrid between this species and Chionodoxa forbesii.
8 - 1
4 - 8
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
3"-6" / 7.6cm - 15.2cm
3"-5" / 7.6cm - 12.7cm
Early Spring, Late Winter
Europe, Southern Europe, Mediterranean, Turkey, Iran
Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Medium
Average Water
Rosette/Stemless
Spring, Winter
Showy
White, Light Blue, Blue Violet
Green
Yes
No
Single
Glossy
Container, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
Sometimes
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