Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Plant bulbs 2-3" deep in fall. Tough, extremely cold hardy, low-maintenance plants that will naturalize rapidly by bulb offshoots and self-seeding.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Scilla siberica produces 3-4 thin scapes (3-6" high) with 1-3, drooping, bell-like, deep blue flowers with blue anthers per scape. Flowers appear in early spring shortly after Galanthus (snowdrops). Foliage is 3-4 medium green, strap-like, 6" long leaves per bulb.
Genus name comes from the Greek name skilla for sea-squill.
Specific epithet means of Siberia.
Problems
Crown rot is an occasional but potentially serious problem.
Uses
In early spring provides intense blue color to the rock garden or border front. Effective when massed in front of or around shrubs or trees, or planted in large groupings with other early spring bulbs. Mass in sweeping drifts in woodland, wild or naturalized areas or along shady banks. Also may be naturalized in the lawn in the same manner as crocus.