Scilla mischtschenkoana

PERSIAN SQUILL

Scilla mischtschenkoana 

PERSIAN SQUILL

A group of Scilla Mischtschenkoana is a joyous sight in late winter and early spring.

Dazzling winter clusters of ice-blue stars

The Persian Squill is a dazzler in late winter, as it erupts with packed clusters of ice-blue stars.

Large stars on a miniature plant

Though the plant is a miniature, the stars are large – each star approx. 2.5cm. across.
With ice-white petals striped on the front with blue and backed with blue too.
And each clump is packed with these lovely stars.
So the Persian Squill loudly trumpets that winter will soon be ending.

Suits small gardens pots & edges

Clumps are 15cm. high in flower and 15cm. wide of bulb-like foliage.

Long blooming late winter & into spring
Scilla Mischtschenkoana is actually a bulbous perennial.
And as such has the ability to continue blooming over a very long period – first opening its stars in late winter, then continuing to pop with stars until well into spring. Blooming for approx. 2 months.

With you for many years

Clumps of Scilla Mischtschenkoana continue to thicken, and increase in number of flowers, year after year.
They are long-lived perennial clumps, and will herald the end of winter for you for many years – just getting better and better year after year.

Extremely hardy & very useful in shade

Persian Squill is extremely hardy, and very useful, particularly for permanently shaded areas, or in deciduous shade.

Tough under trees & shrubs

Because it will thrive on the sniff of barest attention, and can be planted in either permanent or deciduous Shade with equal success.

Low maintenance, low water need & easy care

Where it can be left to just get on with it all by itself.
Scilla Mischtschenkoana does not require any lifting or dividing, or summer watering.
It grows and flowers during the winter and spring period, then dies away in a tidy fashion in summer, just like a bulb. And is back with the autumn rains to begin the year again.

Toughly frost hardy

Plus it is reliably frost hardy down to at least -25°C.
And can tolerate a wide range of soils and pH, from sandy to good garden loam, as long as the soil is well-drained; and from acid to alkaline pH.
However it does not appreciate being water-logged and will rot out if the soil remains boggy and wet.

Rabbits deer & even possums avoid eating it

Ideal for gardeners who have to cohabit with munching beasts.
** Like Lily-of-the-Valley – this plant can cause ill effects if eaten.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Seed for Scilla mischtschenkoana can be sown at any time indoors except in hot weather.
It is best to time your sowing to germinate in cool weather (see below).

Sow indoors for maximum number and early bulbs: First scatter the seed on the surface of good quality potting mix.
Then pat the seeds gently to the surface of the mix to ensure good contact.
Now barely cover the seeds with 1cm of sieved mix or fine vermiculite.

Then thoroughly moisten the mix by standing the punnet in a shallow water bath.
And allow the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Cover the punnet with a light proof lid to help maintain moisture and exclude light.
Because these seeds germinate best in the dark.

Now place the dark covered punnet in a warm position for 2-4 weeks to condition the seeds ready to break dormancy.
You can use a heat mat if you have one, and this maintains optimum temperatures.
Temperatures of 18-22°C are best for this conditioning period.
And continue to keep the punnet moist by misting the surface from a spray water bottle.

Give the seeds a pretend or a real winter

After the conditioning period, now make sure the punnet is thoroughly moist and wrap it in cling-wrap or a clip-lock bag.
And place it in the fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks of chilling.
(Or in cold climates you can leave the punnet out in the frost and cold for the winter).

This period in the fridge mimics the effects of winter on the phytohormones which inhibit germination and helps break the seed’s dormancy.

After the period of chilling, remove from fridge, unwrap, and place in a cool place to germinate.
Temperatures around 10-15°C  are best now for germination.
Some seedlings will now germinate quite quickly, while others will take their time.
This is natural – so patience – do not discard the punnet too quickly.

Grow the seedings on ready to plant in the garden later.

Seed Count: 7 seeds per pack approx. (Seeds of this little charmer are scarce).

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