Striped Squill – Know It, Grow It

Today was dark and drizzling for the most part.  What a perfect day to share some early spring color by featuring these striped squill (Puschkinia libanotica)  images.  I could have taken these photos today as the striped squill out in the gardens are at peak right now.  Also called Lebanon squill, this small, fall-planted bulb is a hardy, early blooming option in our gardens.  Native to the Caucasus region, this bulb (planted 3″ deep) will bloom in early April for us and go dormant by mid June.  These bulbs don’t like “winter wet” conditions so drainage is a consideration.  This bulb is also both deer and rodent resistant.  Named after the Russian botanist, Count Apollo Mussin-Puschkin, this bulb naturalizes well and should be planted at 9-16 bulbs per square foot for solid coverage.  They are also nice in “bulb lawns” as seen above in that by being planted under turf, they’ll emerge, bloom and finish before your first mowing!

 

We didn’t have an overly busy day outside due to the rain today but Big John, Cindy and Janice all had some duties between rain drops.  Volunteers included Maury running errands and Alan, Mandy and Ruth Ann painting.  Our painting season was very successful but is coming to an end shortly as most of these painted objects need to get back out in the gardens very shortly.  Steve came in to do some composting and Peg worked on plant records.  We also saw Mark S., Connie (new volunteer) and many others.  It was a quietly productive day!