Quick Guide: spring, hardy, sun/semi-shade, height: 15cm/6in, width: 7.5cm/3in

These hardy bulbs belong to the useful group of spring-flowering plants which are simplicity to grow yet produce brilliantly coloured blooms to brighten the border or create a splash of colour in grass. Most scillas, or squills to give them their common name, bear their star-shaped flowers in varying shades of blue. The shiny leaves are mid-green and precede the flower stems.

GROWING Plant the bulbs 5-7cm/2-3in deep in moist welldrained soil in late summer. A sunny or partially shaded position will do. Leave the bulbs undisturbed thereafter.

PROPAGATION Scillas produce their offsets slowly. Their presence is indicated by extra clusters of leaves. Lift the bulbs carefully after the foliage has died down, detach the offsets and replant immediately. They may not flower the first year.

SPECIES S. sibirica, 3-4 stems per bulb, brilliant blue flowers; S. tubergeniana (above), very early-flowering, pale blue flowers, good in mixed spring planting; S. peruviana, flowers early summer, 23cm/9in high, profuse, intensely blue flowers.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Yellow spots on the leaves may be caused by rust.