Scilla 'White Moon'

Scillas are also known as the squills, and are mostly blue-flowering—although this one is a lovely white, and is much rarer. Scilla peruviana 'White Moon' was introduced to the gardening public at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2019. It produces large flowerheads up to 10cm across, each containing up to 100 small, star-like flowers of pure white. Even before opening, the cone-shaped buds are stunning. The rosette of strap-shaped leaves stays present most of the year. Grow it in a sunny, well-drained spot that doesn’t get too dry. It is hardy, but it likes to be sheltered from the worst of the winter winds.   

Suitable for beds or containers, the Scilla family of spring-blooming bulbs are some of the best bulbs for naturalizing. Plant them beneath shrubs and trees, in woodlands, on rockeries, or even beside streams and ponds. Scilla peruviana 'White Moon' multiply quickly and will give you waves of colour year after year. 

Incidentally, despite being called Scilla peruviana (which usually suggests a plant has come originally from Peru), this one doesn’t! The Latin name was a mistake in the 17th century, but the name stuck! It is actually from countries bordering the Mediterranean.