Scilla lingulata

John Lonsdale john@johnlonsdale.net
Tue, 09 Nov 2004 16:23:26 PST
This is indeed a beautiful plant, and Jane has grown it to perfection.  It
is all too ready to push up the flower spikes in search of light - with the
result that they get a bit lax and floppy.  I've taken to putting my pots
outside whilst they are coming into flower, then protecting them in the
greenhouse over the winter.  It is a perfect candidate for a cold frame
which gets full light and protection only when necessary, presumably how
Jane grows it so well.  I have several forms, and the variation in flowering
time is very wide, separated by at least 6 weeks.  My first in flower is a
form from Tony Goode which flowers before the leaves form, the last is
flowering now.  There are also considerable differences between the leaves,
both degree of glaucousness and also habit, from prostrate and succulent to
upright.  The bulbs build up very quickly and the only pest I've ever seen
was mealy bug on the dormant bulbs in late summer before I started treating
with Imidacloprid just before dormancy.

Tony mentioned his form grows outside in his eastern UK garden; I'm going to
try a few outside here next year, but doubt they do well, if at all.  Over
80% of my scillas went into the garden this summer so it will be an
interesting winter!

J.

John T Lonsdale PhD
407 Edgewood Drive,
Exton, Pennsylvania 19341, USA

Home: 610 594 9232
Cell: 484 678 9856
Fax: 801 327 1266

Visit "Edgewood" - The Lonsdale Garden at http://www.edgewoodgardens.net/

USDA Zone 6b



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