Scilla peruviana

The Peruvian Squill or Scilla peruviana, is an original bulbous plant with a spectacular flowering, originating from the Mediterranean. In April/May, each leaf rosette produces a very large inflorescence (40cm (16in) tall) in the shape of a wide, flattened cone, very dense, composed of a multitude of small star-shaped flowers of an intense blue. Easy to grow in a Mediterranean climate, in a not too dry soil, it also thrives in gardens located further north, provided it is given perfect drainage and a very sunny exposure.

Contrary to what its name suggests, the Scilla peruviana (syn. Oncostema peruviana) is not native to Peru but to the Mediterranean region. It was in the holds of the ship "La Peruviana" that the plant was transported from Spain to England; the botanist who described it made an unfortunate confusion between the name of the ship and its geographical origin. A plant of the Lily family, the Peruvian squill is native to Portugal, Italy, Spain, and North Africa. Its natural habitat consists of bushes, meadows, humid rocky areas, or coastal regions of these countries.

With a large tunicated bulb, this squill develops a large tufted rosette of foliage during autumn and winter; it consists of long, dark green, lanceolate, shiny leaves, forming a tuft. In May-June, depending on the climate, each tuft of leaves produces a floral stem 20 to 40cm (8 to 16in) tall in its center, bearing at its tip a large corymb where up to 100 small star-shaped flowers of a very bright blue-violet colour are tightly packed. Once the flowering is finished, the foliage dries up and disappears until the following autumn.

Being quite sensitive to cold (-10°C (14°F)) in humid soil, we therefore advise you to take care of the soil drainage and mulch it in cold regions. Used in massifs, borders, rockeries, or even in pots, this Squill is suitable for the composition of a mini Mediterranean space in all gardens, associated with Madonna Lilies, Autumn Crocuses, Algerian Iris, Giant Snowdrops, Sea Lilies... Or accompanied by thyme, lavender, and rosemary... It also finds its place in borders or at the feet of spring-flowering shrubs, such as Japanese Quinces, Spiraeas, and Rose Forsythias (Abeliophyllum distichum 'Roseum'). A plant for well-drained soils, it can also be planted in a rockery, where it will not require any special care.