Continuing the spring bulb theme, now on squills:
Scilla … is a genus of about 50 to 80 bulb-forming perennial herbs in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, native to woodlands, subalpine meadows, and seashores throughout Europe and Asia. Their flowers are usually blue, but white, pink, and purple types are known; most flower in early spring, but a few are autumn-flowering. (Wikipedia link)
More specifically:
Scilla siberica (Siberian squill or wood squill) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to southwestern Russia, the Caucasus, and Turkey. Despite its name, it is not native to Siberia. (link)
A photo:
Earlier spring bulb postings: on star-of-Bethlehem and glory-of-the snow and snowdrops.
Addenda later in the day:
First note: the German name for these flowers is the excellent Blausternchen ‘little blue star’.
Second note: squills are viewed as a pest in some quarters. From the Minnesota Wildflowers site, with a plea:
This is a classic case of gardening gone awry. Siberian Squill was brought to this country as an ornamental and is still sold in Minnesota and elsewhere, but it has also escaped into the wild and become invasive. It readily spreads itself and is difficult to get rid of, as broken roots often resprout. It is very hardy and cold tolerant, and is left untouched by critters from voles to deer. Sadly, the same traits that make it attractive as a garden plant (besides the vivid color) are also what make it invasive. Large colonies of squill can be seen in the eastern counties of the state, from Duluth to Rochester. There is even an infestation at the University of Minnesota St Paul campus, just a block away from the Bell Herbarium.
… Please, all you gardeners out there: stop planting this. Spring blooming native species with blue flowers you might plant instead are Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis), bluebells (Mertensia virginica or M. paniculata), blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) or any number of native violets. Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) could provide bell-shaped blue flowers for the rest of the season.
Personal note: the previous owners of our Columbus OH house were wildflower enthusiasts, and populated both the gardens and lawn with them; many were species judged to be invasive. We welcomed all of these, though we did have some bad experiences with a few other species I introduced on my own, which were just too invasive to bear. Live and learn.
No problem with Siberian squill, though.
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