Scilla peruviana

At 4.30 am on the 29th May the sun rose and burnt a continuous groove in the sunshine recording card until a cloud passed over the garden at 6.50pm.

The following day, Saturday 30th was perfect; continuous sunshine from 4.30am until 7.20pm with a maximum temperature of 24.9oc. The 31st saw two clouds pass over and a lower maximum temperature of 18.9oc. Ah; summer at last.

Tucked behind the Orchid house is a clump of Scilla peruviana. Large strap leaves fall flaccidly about the base of the sturdy flower stems. Found in the Mediterranean region, Europe to Africa. This sheltered east facing border provides the winter protection these bulbs need.

The flower buds are conical on developing, opening from the outer circumference of the raceme first. Prior to opening bracts are seen pointed above the tight mass of unopened buds. These persist on the pedicels, becoming papery in appearance, light green in colour.

The individual flowers are a deep bright blue composed of six flattened yet shapely blue filaments topped with yellow anthers. The central stigma is a pyramidal shape also blue in colour.

Scilla peruviana

Scilla peruviana