What hardiness zones is Scilla siberica suitable for?

Scilla siberica is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Scilla siberica?

Scilla siberica requires Part Sun.

How much water does Scilla siberica need?

Scilla siberica has Medium water needs.

Bulbs

Scilla siberica

Siberian Squill

Asparagaceae

Southwestern Russia, the Caucasus, and Turkey (meadows, scrub, and open woodlands); epithet siberica is a historical misnomer

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At a Glance

TypeBulb

HabitClumping

FoliageDeciduous

Height4-6 inches (10-15 cm)

Width3-4 inches (8-10 cm)

Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 8

Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Scilla siberica is a bulbous perennial reaching 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) tall and 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) wide per bulb, forming dense colonies over time by self-seeding and bulb offsets. Despite the epithet siberica, the species is native to southwestern Russia, the Caucasus, and Turkey, not to Siberia. Leaves are 2–4 strap-shaped glossy dark-green basal blades 0.5 inch (1 cm) wide that emerge in late winter. Nodding bell-shaped gentian-blue flowers 0.5–0.75 inch (1–2 cm) long appear 1–3 per stem in March and April; the blue tone is more saturated than the pale sky-blue of Chionodoxa forbesii and deeper than the lavender-blue of Muscari armeniacum, a color difference visible in side-by-side plantings. The species is a spring ephemeral — foliage dies back fully by late May. Growth rate is moderate. Hardy in USDA zones 2–8. Self-sowing is prolific and establishes naturalized colonies in lawns, meadows, and under deciduous trees within a few years. The species is listed as invasive in several northeastern US states; sites where spread must be contained are outside the species' adapted use. All parts are toxic to humans and pets.

Native Range

Scilla siberica is native to southwestern Russia, the Caucasus, and Turkey, in meadows, scrub, and open woodlands. The epithet siberica is a historical misnomer — the species does not grow naturally in Siberia.

Suggested Uses

Naturalized in lawns, under deciduous trees, in woodland gardens, or in meadow plantings at 3–4 inch (8–10 cm) spacing in drifts of 25–50 or more bulbs in USDA zones 2–8. The early spring bloom window and saturated blue flowers combine with Galanthus spp. and Crocus spp. for an early-spring sequence beneath deciduous canopy. Extreme cold hardiness to zone 2 extends the species' range well beyond most bulb options. Sites where spread must be contained, positions requiring early spring mowing, and regions where the species appears on state invasive lists are outside the species' adapted use.

How to Identify

Identified by a 4–6 inch (10–15 cm) spring-ephemeral bulb with 2–4 narrow strap-shaped glossy dark-green leaves 0.5 inch (1 cm) wide and 1–3 nodding bell-shaped gentian-blue flowers 0.5–0.75 inch (1–2 cm) long per stem in March and April. Separated from Chionodoxa forbesii (glory-of-the-snow) by the nodding (versus upward-facing) flowers and the more saturated blue pigment. Separated from Muscari armeniacum (grape hyacinth) by the open bell-shaped (versus urn-shaped) flowers and the deeper clearer blue. Separated from Scilla mischtschenkoana by the later bloom window (March–April versus February) and the deeper blue.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 6"

Width/Spread3" - 4"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

blue

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Produces 1–3 nodding bell-shaped gentian-blue flowers 0.5–0.75 inch (1–2 cm) long per stem from March through April. Bloom duration 3 weeks. The saturated blue tone is visibly deeper than Chionodoxa spp. or Muscari spp. in the same spring window. Foliage dies back fully by late May (spring ephemeral).

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Saturated gentian-blue (deeper than Chionodoxa spp. or Muscari spp. in the same spring window); nodding bell-shaped 0.5–0.75 inch (1–2 cm); 1–3 per stem; March–April

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green; strap-shaped 0.5 inch (1 cm) wide; basal; spring ephemeral — dies back by late May

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant bulbs 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) deep in autumn in partial shade to full sun in average, well-drained loam, sandy, or clay soil at pH 6.0–7.5. Hardy in USDA zones 2–8. The species naturalizes readily under deciduous trees, taking advantage of the sunlit window before canopy leaf-out and tolerating the shade that follows. Mowing should be delayed until foliage yellows in late May to allow bulb replenishment. Self-sowing is prolific; sites where spread must be contained require deadheading before seed-set, and the species is listed as invasive in several northeastern US states.

Pruning

No pruning is used. Foliage yellows and dies back on its own in late May; premature removal starves bulbs for the next season. Self-sown seedlings can be thinned where density becomes problematic.

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans