Scilla siberica Alba

Scilla siberica 'Alba' is the white-flowered form of the Siberian squill, a small early-flowering bulbous plant that brings exceptional light to flower beds from February onwards. This very hardy bulbous plant establishes colonies and blooms abundantly, covering the ground with a sea of white stars. Easy to grow, except in very dry climates which it hates, it easily naturalises in the garden, in wild areas or even in rockeries.

The Siberian squill is a bulbous perennial belonging to the lily family (hyacinthaceae), native to southwestern European Russia (Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Crimea), the Caucasus and Turkey. Very resistant to cold, it withstands temperatures well below -15°C (5°F). Each small bulb simultaneously develops a few dark green ribbon-like basal leaves mixed with floral stems bearing a few flowers in late winter. The flowers have 6 pure white petals, in the shape of small hanging bells and are gathered in small clusters of 4 or 5. The flowers are followed by seeds, then the foliage disappears in summer, leaving the bulb dormant underground.

Siberian squills are among the first flowers of spring, just after Persian squills (Scilla tubergeniana); they arrive at the same time as crocuses, primroses and snowdrops. It will fit well in slightly wild flower beds and natural meadows, or even along a path, mixed with other bulbs that will take over (tulips, Chionodoxas, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, rock iris, botanical lilies). It can also be simply paired with the blue hybrid variety 'Spring beauty', for a beautiful contrast.