Urginea bulbs promise something rather different: tall spires of delicate flowers rising from remarkably substantial bulbs. Known as sea squill or maritime squill, Urginea maritima is also sold under the botanical name Drimia maritima. This Mediterranean plant flowers in late summer or early autumn, producing slender stems lined with small, starry white blooms that open gradually from the base upwards. Its broad leaves and flowers appear at different stages of the growing cycle, with the foliage dying back before the flower spikes emerge. That bare-stemmed silhouette gives sea squill a striking architectural presence, particularly against a simple backdrop of gravel, stone or lower planting.

Growing Urginea maritima in the UK calls for warmth, excellent drainage and protection from severe frost. Plant sea squill bulbs in early autumn with the neck exposed above the soil, choosing a sheltered position in full sun. In mild areas, they can grow outdoors in freely draining borders; elsewhere, a substantial container makes it easier to move them into a bright, frost-free greenhouse for winter. Use a free-draining, peat-free compost with added horticultural grit, and water sparingly, allowing a drier rest during summer dormancy. Give the bulbs time to establish rather than expecting immediate flowers. For gardeners who enjoy unusual bulbs, Urginea offers the anticipation of a distinctive display as summer begins to soften into autumn.