Scilla peruviana (Portuguese squill)

Other names: Caribbean lily, Cuban lily, Giant squill, Hyacinth of Peru , Peruvian scilla, Peruvian jacinth

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Species

S. peruviana is a clump-forming, semi-evergreen, bulbous perennial with a cluster of lance-shaped, mid-green basal leaves and racemes of nodding, deep purple-blue or white flowers in early summer.

Season of interest

Flower
	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Flower
Foliage
	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Foliage

Height and spread

Metric |
Imperial

Height and spread Metric \| Imperial
Size	Max height	Max spread	To maturity
0.3 m	0.1 m	2-5 years
0 ft	0 ft	2-5 years

Height and spread

Metric |
Imperial

Size

Max height

Max spread

To maturity

0.3 m

0.1 m

2-5 years

0 ft

2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil

Soil type

Chalky
Loamy
Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid
Alkaline
Neutral

Conditions

Sunlight

Partial Shade
Full Sun

Aspect

West
South

Exposure

Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant 8-10cm deep in late summer or early autumn in any moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. In autumn, new leaves develop as flowers and old foliage fades. Under glass, grow in 2 parts loam-based compost and 1 part each of grit and leaf mould in full light. In growth, water freely. Keep dry whilst summer dormant.

Suggested uses

Gravel, Containers/Patio, Rock, Coastal, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Underplanting, Garden edging

UK hardiness

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10

Sunset zone

14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Very Low
Central Valley = Very Low
South Coastal = Low
South Inland = Very Low
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Semi-evergreen

Habit

Rosette

Native to

Portugal, Spain, Italy, Northern Africa

Drought tolerant

Flood tolerant

Toxicity

Eating may cause severe discomfort.

Plant care

Pruning and propagation

Pruning

Remove leaves only after they have completely died down.

Propagation methods

Seed, Offsets

Pests and diseases

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Prone to viral infections.

Monthly care advice

Separate bulb offsets

Plant Allium, Erythronium, Colchicum and Galtonia bulbs

Sow seed in containers in cold frame (anytime)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (23)

Scilla

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Scilla bifolia 'Rosea' Alpine squill 'Rosea'

Scilla litardierei Amethyst meadow squill

Scilla peruviana Portuguese squill

Scilla autumnalis Autumn squill

Scilla siberica Siberian squill

Scilla siberica 'Spring Beauty' Siberian squill 'Spring Beauty'

Scilla verna Spring squill

Scilla luciliae Lucile's glory of the snow

Scilla bifolia Alpine squill

Scilla mischtschenkoana 'Tubergeniana' Misczenko squill 'Tubergeniana'

Scilla (any variety) Squill (any variety)

Scilla peruviana 'Sapphire Blue' (Caribbean Jewels Series) Portuguese squill 'Sapphire Blue'

Scilla 'Blue Giant' Squill 'Blue Giant'

Scilla siberica 'Alba' Siberian squill 'Alba'

Scilla mischtschenkoana Misczenko squill

Scilla liliohyacinthus Pyrenean squill

Scilla bithynica Turkish squill

Scilla forbesii 'Violet Beauty' Forbes' squill 'Violet Beauty'

Scilla 'Pink Giant' Glory of the snow 'Pink Giant'

Scilla luciliae 'Rosy Queen' Lucile's glory of the snow 'Rosy Queen'

Scilla luciliae 'Alba' Lucile's glory of the snow 'Alba'

Scilla sardensis Lesser glory of the snow

Scilla forbesii Glory of the snow

Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss this plant

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Scilla Peruviana

Shoot User

2010 0

Thanks Nicola, I will be in touch.

And I've responded to Vicki - thanks for passing the question on to me.

Jo

Posted: Tuesday 19th of October 2010 01:39 PM

Re: Re: Re: Re: Scilla Peruviana

Nicola

2010 0

Thanks Jo! any chance you could also help Vicki here? Another bulb question:) can I save this bulb?

Thanks Nicola
p.s. if you need help with anything please write to us at Shoot@ShootGardening.co.uk and we'll try to help you reset your passwords etc.

Posted: Tuesday 19th of October 2010 11:48 AM

Re: Re: Re: Scilla Peruviana

Shoot User

2010 2

Hi Nicola,

I have just started a small nursery, thebulbgarden, and so I take an interest in questions relating to bulbous plants.

I have registered with you for a business page but (uh-oh!) have managed to lose the login details during the very busy current phase of planting and start up.

I've also bought domain names and intend to do online sales un due course but am not there yet.

I do subscribe to your facebook updates, and am also on linkedin. If you want to contact me directly you will find my email address in my shoot profile.

Jo x

Posted: Tuesday 19th of October 2010 11:33 AM

Re: Re: Scilla Peruviana

Nicola

2010 1

Hi Jo, wonderful great answer! Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Are you part of our wider social nework? e.g. facebook , twitter, linkedin? I'd love to find you:)

Cheers Nicola

Posted: Tuesday 19th of October 2010 10:21 AM Last reply: Tuesday 19th of October 2010 10:32 AM

Re: Scilla Peruviana

Shoot User

2010 1

Hi Dawn,

As a bulb, this variety of scilla likes a warm, sunny well drained spot with the bulbs planted shallowly.

It may be that it is simply planted too deeply - 2'' - 3'' is about right for this variety, general rule of thumb is that the depth should be 1.5 - 2.5 times the height of the bulb. You can increase this (ie plant a bit deeper) generally if your soil is 'light and fluffy', you should decrease it if you garden on heavy soil.

Another tip for caring for bulbs is to let the foliage die back naturally after flowering, and only remove the foliage when it has yellowed. Bulbs get the majority of their nutrients for future flowering from the stores they build up inside the bulb, and they need their leaves to survive as long as possible to take maximum benefit from the light.

I would gently dig up your bulb, have a look and feel of it to make sure it is still firm (if it is soft, then it has rotted and will not revive). Also check to make sure that no pests have damaged the base plate (where the roots come out) as this can also hinder performance.

Then re-plant, adding perhaps a bit of grit and bone meal, and cross your fingers that you get a good display next year!

Good luck

Jo
thebulbgarden ltd

Posted: Tuesday 19th of October 2010 10:09 AM

Scilla Peruviana

Shoot User

2010 1

It was flowering when I bought it but for the last two years I have not been able to get it to flower. What should I be doing? Thank you. Dawn

Posted: Monday 18th of October 2010 03:19 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 10:28 PM