With a petite 10 cm height, the squill develops an astonishing presence in the spring garden. If the graceful flower runs out of steam at the end of April, other Scilla species are there to provide an early summer bloom. The following answers to frequently asked questions provide further information about the multifaceted onion plant.
What do you need to know about squill?
The squill (Scilla) is a bulbous plant that impresses in spring with a height of 10 cm and a variety of colors of blue, white and pink. Planting takes place in autumn, ideally in nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil and in sunny to partially shaded areas. Squills are slightly poisonous and hardy.
Planting squill correctly
As a typical onion flower, the planting of squills - in contrast to classic perennials - follows special requirements. The autumn planting season has no sensible alternatives, while container plants are allowed in the ground almost all year round. The planting technique as such is extremely simple. How to do it right:
- Dig several holes 5-10 cm deep at a distance of 10 cm
- Insert one onion into each with the tip pointing upwards
- Pour in the excavation enriched with compost (€12.00 on Amazon) and horn shavings and press down
If voracious voles are in your garden, first place a vole basket in the ground and then plant the squills in it.
Care tips
If the flower thrives outdoors, experience shows that Mother Nature takes over the water supply for Scilla. Only water squill regularly if there is no rain. The nutrient supply in the bed is limited to a one-time application of compost, horn shavings, guano or bark humus. Pruning is also an important criterion for professional care. The first step is to cut off the withered inflorescences. As a result, give the plant enough time to absorb the remaining nutrients from the foliage. Cut off the yellowed leaves close to the ground. Please consider the slight toxic content of Szilla and wear gloves when carrying out any care work.
Which location is suitable?
It is primarily the two-leaved squills that exude their floral charm in early spring. The location conditions suitable for this are wide-ranging:
- Sunny, semi-shady location up to light shade under deciduous trees
- Nutritious, humus-rich soil, fresh, moist to moderately dry
- Preferably sandy-loamy, with good drainage
The flower dwarfs are perfect for growing wild in the lawn or as part of a flower meadow. Wherever the soil is not extremely acidic or exorbitantly alkaline, Szilla show what floral power they have.
When is flowering time?
The versatile Szilla genus presents us with these flowering times:
- Siberian squill (Scilla sibirica): February to March
- Two-leaved squill (Scilla bifolia): March to April
- Bell squill (Scilla campanulata): April to May
- Hare bells (Scilla non-scripta): May to June
The Peruvian squill (Scilla peruviana), which - depending on location and care - presents its flower clusters between November and February, provides a cheerful splash of color on the winter windowsill.
Cut squill correctly
Regardless of the flowering time, the professional cutting of squills follows the same pattern. The withered inflorescences are promptly cut off to just above the leaves. On the one hand, this measure prevents unwanted self-seeding. On the other hand, this way the flower does not invest unnecessary energy in the growth of the capsule fruits. The green leaves remain on the plant until they have completely yellowed. During this time, the onion stores all remaining nutrients in order to create a depot for the next flowering period.
Watering squill
A two-part water balance must be taken into account at Szilla. During the flowering period, water the flower moderately so that it does not suffer from drought stress. If the flowering is coming to an end, gradually reduce the amount of water with the aim of a dry winter or summer.
Fertilize squill correctly
Scilla happily accept compost fertilization in the bed in conjunction with planting in autumn. Hardy squills also receive a layer of compost as nutritious winter protection. A szilla in the pot is repotted after its individual growth period so that the flower receives sufficient nutrients from the fresh substrate. If you cultivate squills in the balcony box, we recommend a liquid fertilizer every 14 days until the end of the flowering period.
Wintering
The majority of squills are completely hardy. Freshly planted in autumn, we still recommend a protective cover with leaves or compost in the first winter. The protective layer is removed at the beginning of February at the latest so as not to hinder sprouting. The onion plant could freeze in the pot and balcony box. Therefore, when it is frosty, wrap jute ribbons or bubble wrap around the container and place it on wood in front of the south wall of the house. The few Scilla species that are not frost-resistant, such as the Peruvian squill, overwinter on the partially shaded windowsill at 10-20 degrees Celsius.
Propagate squill
The flower provides the suitable plant material for the breeding of additional Szilla by producing breeding bulbs. If you dig up the bulb of a well-established plant, you will see the small daughter bulbs at the base. Cut these off with a sharp, disinfected knife and plant them at a maximum depth of 8-10 cm in the new location or in the flower box.
Is squill poisonous?
Regardless of their different flowering times and growth characteristics, all Szilla species and varieties should be treated as poisonous plants. Responsible for this are the saponins they contain, which can cause inflammation when they come into contact with the skin. If the onions are eaten intentionally or unintentionally, unpleasant symptoms of poisoning can result, such as nausea, vomiting and cardiac arrhythmias.read more
How to care for a Peruvian squill?
Since a Peruvian squill lacks any winter hardiness, we recommend cultivating it in a pot as a winter-flowering houseplant. Use cactus soil or potting soil with sand as a substrate, which is filled over a drainage made of pottery shards. During the flowering period, water regularly without causing waterlogging. Only cut off the resulting leaves when they have completely yellowed. This Scilla wants to rest throughout the summer and will be watered a little every 3-4 weeks until September. If the plant sprouts again in autumn, repot into fresh substrate. In this case, there is no need to add fertilizer. From October to February, place the Szilla peruviana on the partially shaded windowsill at 12 to 20 degrees Celsius and enjoy the colorful flowers during the dark season.
Beautiful varieties
- Rosea: Historic squill with delicate pink flowers and robust winter hardiness; thrives in sunny to shady locations
- Alba: Siberian Scilla with pure white bell flowers in March and April that harmonize wonderfully with snowdrops
- Peruvian squill: Mediterranean szilla with blue flowers from May to June and a height of 30-40 cm; not hardy
- Spring Beauty: Gentian blue Scilla sibirica, which stretches up to 15 cm towards the sky in April; robust and hardy plant
- Atrocoerulia: Rarity among the Szilla varieties with black-blue flowers from March to April on stems up to 20 cm high
