Scilla bifolia Rosea

Scilla bifolia 'Rosea' is a pink-flowered form of a small bulbous plant that thrives in deciduous woodlands. In early spring, it bears clusters of pale-pink star-shaped flowers. It eventually forms charming little colonies that will bloom alongside botanical narcissus, hepaticas, and Greek anemones, under deciduous trees and bushes. This hardy and easy-to-grow squill is, however, very rarely planted in gardens. 

Scilla bifolia belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It is a small bulbous perennial plant. Its natural habitat consists of light forests, in cool and moist places, on hills or mountains, up to 1500m (4921ft) altitude.

Its vegetation emerges from the ground in March. Its small ovoid and whitish bulb produces two or three upright, ribbed, bright green leaves, sheathing a slender stem measuring 20cm (8in) in height. Flowering takes place in March-April, with each bulb producing one to six floral stems. In the upper part of the stem, the inflorescence forms a dense, wide pyramidal cluster, adorned with 3 to 10 salmon-pink and mauve floral buds. They open into star-shaped corollas with 6 petals, measuring 2 to 3cm (1in) in diameter, barely tinged with pink. Pink anthers dominate in the centre. Pollination is ensured by bumblebees and bees. The fruit is a triangular capsule. The foliage dries up a few weeks after flowering, in early summer, while the bulb goes into dormancy. The plant multiplies by seeds, as well as by producing small bulbils.

Plant the bulbs in beds under deciduous trees, in borders, or in partially shaded rockeries. Once established, it spreads spontaneously without requiring maintenance and never becomes invasive. You can plant the bulbs with crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, and Anemone blanda. They also work well with charming woodland perennials such as tiarellas, primroses, and hellebores.