Ednie Flower Bulb, Inc.
Family
Liliaceae
Botanical Name
Scilla siberica
Plant Common Name
Siberian Squill, Siberian Wood Squill
General Description
Siberian squill is a charming, diminutive bulbous perennial that’s among the earliest of spring-blooming plants. The sweet blue-flowered ephemeral originates from Russia and western Asia and naturalizes readily in wooded areas because it blooms and disappears into dormancy before most deciduous trees and shrubs leaf out to block the sun.
This small bulb appears very early in the spring, just after the snowdrops and winter aconite. Each sends up two to four semi-erect leaves and thin flower stems that branch at the tips to display four or five pendant, bell-shaped, blue flowers. The small blooms have six petals and are like manna to hungry foraging bees. Once the flowers are spent, they set seed and quickly retreat into the ground for the rest of the growing season. Their dying foliage can easily be raked away for quick clean up.
Plant this squill in a woodland setting and organic-rich, evenly moist soil. It is a fast spreader but does not compete with other garden plants, so it is not considered invasive. In fall, plant the bulbs at a depth that’s four to five times their width and spacing that’s twice their width. A small planting can quickly double in size within a few years. For maximum appeal, plant Siberian squill among other colorful early spring bloomers like crocus and early daffodils. It also looks super planted with early blue-flowered gems like Anemone blanda ‘Blue Shades’ and Chionodoxa forbesii.
White-flowered forms are also available.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 5
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 8
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Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
0"-8" / 0.0cm - 20.3cm (5)
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Width
0"-2" / 0.0cm - 5.1cm (2)
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Bloom Time
Early Spring
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Native To
Russia/Siberia, Western Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Blue
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Fruit Color
Green, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
