My Favourite Plants – Peruvian Lily

Scilla Peruviana

 

The Peruvian Lily is also known as the Caribbean or Cuban Lily, but it is in fact from the western Mediterranean region; Portugal, Spain, southern Italy and northern parts of Africa.  The mistake arose when samples were delivered to Carl Linneas, having been labelled in the name of the ship that had delivered them, “The Peru“. 

Here in Northland they grow very easily and at this time of the year the flowers are just beginning to rise from the bulb.  Grows easily in pots or in the garden in well-drained soil.  They have a short dormant period over the summer months which is when you would move or divide them.  They do form a large clump quite readily so only plant in the ground if you want a patch of them.  A flowering group looks quite spectacular with the flower heads lasting a month or more.