Scilla bulbs

Scilla bulbs bring pools of clear spring colour to the garden, with dainty, star-shaped or bell-like flowers appearing above fresh green foliage. Commonly known as squill, these charming bulbs are best known for their vivid shades of blue, although selected varieties flower in white, pale pink and soft lilac. Their small scale and simple flower shapes give them a wonderfully natural quality, making Scilla especially lovely in informal planting schemes.

Our Scilla bulbs are ideal for woodland-style borders, beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, along path edges or towards the front of mixed borders. Plant them in generous groups to create a more noticeable display, or weave them between narcissi, crocuses and other early-flowering bulbs for a layered start to spring. Their early blooms also provide a useful source of nectar for bees and other pollinating insects emerging after winter. Where conditions suit them, many Scilla varieties will gradually naturalise and return in increasingly generous colonies.

Plant Scilla bulbs in autumn in fertile, well-drained soil. They perform particularly well in positions that receive spring light, including areas that become more shaded once surrounding trees and shrubs come into leaf. These compact, fully hardy bulbs can remain in the ground throughout the year and require little attention once established. After flowering, leave the foliage to turn yellow and die back naturally so the bulbs can replenish their energy. Easy to grow yet rich in detail, Scilla bulbs are a beautiful choice for creating a garden that feels alive from the earliest weeks of spring.