Scilla: The Charming Spring Bulb That’s Not From Around Here
If you’ve ever spotted clusters of tiny blue flowers carpeting the ground in early spring, you might have been admiring scilla. These petite bulbous perennials are among the first to bloom when winter finally loosens its grip, bringing much-needed color to gardens just when we’re all desperate for signs of spring.
What Exactly Is Scilla?
Scilla is a genus of small flowering bulbs that belongs to the forb family – essentially, these are non-woody plants that die back to the ground each year and regrow from their underground bulbs. Think of them as nature’s way of packing a lot of charm into a small package. These perennials are hardy little things that come back year after year, gradually spreading to create delightful drifts of color.
The Not-So-Native Truth
Here’s something important to know: scilla isn’t native to North America. These plants originally hail from other parts of the world but have made themselves quite at home here, reproducing spontaneously in the wild and persisting without any help from humans. While this adaptability can be impressive, it’s worth considering native alternatives that support local ecosystems more effectively.
Where You’ll Find Scilla
Scilla has established itself across a good chunk of North America, thriving in Canada’s New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec provinces. In the United States, you can find these naturalized bulbs in Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin.
Why Gardeners Love (and Sometimes Question) Scilla
There are several reasons why scilla has found its way into many gardens:
- Early blooms: These flowers appear in early spring when little else is blooming, providing crucial nectar for early pollinators like bees
- Low maintenance: Once planted, scilla pretty much takes care of itself
- Naturalizing ability: They spread gradually to create beautiful carpets of color
- Versatile growing conditions: Adaptable to various light conditions from partial shade to full sun
However, some gardeners prefer to focus on native plants that better support local wildlife and ecosystems. It’s a personal choice that depends on your gardening philosophy and goals.
Growing Scilla Successfully
If you decide to grow scilla, here’s what you need to know:
Planting: Plant bulbs in fall, about 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart. Choose a location with well-draining soil – these bulbs don’t appreciate soggy conditions.
Light requirements: Scilla is quite adaptable, thriving in everything from partial shade to full sun. They’re particularly happy under deciduous trees where they get spring sun before the tree leaves emerge.
Hardiness: Most scilla species are quite cold-hardy, typically thriving in USDA zones 3-8.
Care tips: Once established, scilla requires minimal care. Allow the foliage to die back naturally after blooming – this feeds the bulb for next year’s display. You can mow or cut back the leaves once they turn yellow.
Pollinator Benefits
One of scilla’s strongest selling points is its value to early pollinators. When these flowers bloom in late winter or early spring, they provide a crucial nectar source when few other flowers are available. Bees, in particular, appreciate this early buffet after a long winter.
Consider Native Alternatives
While scilla can be a lovely addition to spring gardens, consider these native alternatives that provide similar early-season color while supporting local ecosystems:
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense): Provides early groundcover in shaded areas
- Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis): Beautiful white spring flowers
- Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica): Gorgeous blue spring blooms
- Trout lily (Erythronium americanum): Charming yellow spring flowers
The Bottom Line
Scilla offers reliable early spring color and requires minimal care once established. While it’s not native to North America, it’s also not considered invasive in most areas where it grows. If you choose to plant scilla, you’ll enjoy years of early spring blooms that both you and the local pollinators will appreciate. Just remember to also consider native alternatives that can provide similar benefits while supporting local wildlife in ways that non-native plants simply can’t match.
Whether you go with scilla or choose native alternatives, the most important thing is getting those early spring flowers in the ground. After a long winter, we all need a little hope blooming in the garden.
