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Bulbs, Tubers, and Roots
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'Giant' White Squill
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Each summer the leafless white spires of the Giant White Squill thrust up
as high as five feet from the bare soil.
A native of Greece and other Mediterranean climates, Urginea maritima is
perfectly adapted to Southern California's dry summers and wet winters.
Blooming each summer, the bulbs of these plants are enormous - often the
size of one's head - and after the autumn rains they send up lush bunches
of strapping green leaves.
Urginea maritima has been used to heal neurological pains, skin problems,
deep wounds and even eye afflictions and contains materials that are used
in conventional medicine to treat asthma, bronchitis and heart disorders.
However, the plant is also used as a mouse and rat control and can be toxic
if eaten.
What to Expect
During mid to late summer each year a flower bud will emerge out of what
appears as bare, lifeless, dry soil. The spike will grow straight up,
growing as much as 3-4 inches per day until at about three feet it will
begin blooming. While it begins to bloom it will continue to grow even
taller. The flowers will open on the bottom of the spike first and will
move up the stalk in about a two-inch band until the flowers eventually
reach the top of the stalk. The stalk may be as high as five feet, and
six feet is possible.
With the onset of shorter days and the first rainshowers of late fall,
about November, the green leaves will emerge from the soil. Somewhat like
a wide Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) leaf, these handsome green leaves will
be present all winter and into spring. By May, the foliage will begin
turning yellow and will wilt down to the soil. When this happens simply
cut the foliage off and wait for the fantastic blooms again a few months
later.
In The Garden and Landscape
Giant White Squill is one of the easiest plants you will ever grow. It
thrives on neglect. In fact, the only thing that could harm it is too much
attention. Locate the bulbs in sunny positions that are kept fairly dry
from late spring to fall. They are perfectly happy growing on dry hillsides,
"wild" areas in the garden, amongst other Mediterranean climate plants or
with California native plants.
Planting
Simply select a sunny location as described above. If the site is
well-drained, no amendments are necessary. Plant the dormant bulb with the
growing point up and the dry, remnant roots down. Bury the bulb to its tip,
the soil either barely covering the tip or the tip barely showing above the
soil. Space bulbs 18-24" apart. Water the soil thoroughly after planting
and then infrequently until foliage begins in the fall.
Watering and Feeding
Once established, Giant White Squill needs no supplemental water and is
easily grown with natural rainfall only. However, in well draining soil,
infrequent irrigations will not harm the plant. Avoid moist, frequently
watered areas. Fertilizing is not necessary.
Pests and Diseases
None. In fact, Giant White Squill is immune to gophers and is even used
commercially as a rodent control.
Harvesting and Using the Flowers
The flower spikes are treasured by specialty florists and are often seen
adorning huge arrangements in the lobbies of the words finest hotels and
restaurants. When available, single stems often retail for $8 to $12 apiece.
The stalk can be cut at the soil line as soon as the first flowers begin to
open. If kept in water, the stem will continue to grow taller and the
flowers will continue to open all the way to the top of the spike. This
"blooming" in a vase is a great quality and can last for as much as two weeks.
The other unique quality that floral designers adore is the unique twisting
and curving of the Giant White Squill's stalks. This only occurs on cut
stalks, not those in the ground, but looks terrific in a vase - the curving
and gentle bending of each stalk changing slightly from day to day.
Of course, the flowers can also be enjoyed in the landscape. Giant White
Squill are especially attractive in Mediterranean landscapes. The white
flowers provide a dramatic vertical element and look especially nice either
rising above other plants, with backlighting at night, viewed along a
horizon, in a water-wise garden or as a component of many other landscapes.
About our Giant White Squill
Giant White Squill is a rare plant in cultivation. Our bulbs at Roger's
Gardens are provided to us by a small specialist grower in the Temecula and
Fallbrook area. He is the largest supplier of these plants to the floral
industry in the U.S. His fields are an amazing sight in August, when the
thousands of Giant White Squill blossoms are standing at attention out of
the bare dry soil.
The fields that our bulbs come from were originally planted in the 1950's
and 60's and most of the bulbs that we are selling are about eight to ten
years old. About 20 acres are currently in production and they are grown
with no supplemental irrigation. Called "dryland" farming these bulbs are
grown according to the natural rainfall patterns of California. The are
all hand dug and delivered directly to Roger's Gardens.
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Giant White Squill bulbs are available at Roger's Gardens from about
mid August until October. Bulbs are also available on-line for
shipping at www.rogersgardens.com/squill.
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