How to Pick Scilla Peruviana Bulbs

Hi this is Yolanda Vanveen on behalf of Expert Village. One of my favorite plants is Sila Peruviana. I call it the Silly Peruvian because it is not from Peru and does not look like a Sila. The first time I found out about this plant was after buying one already potted. I was told when I bought it that is was a miniature Agapanthus or Lily of the Nile. When the plant died and I dug it up I knew it was not a Lily of the Nile because it was a bulb instead of a root. Only after much research and finding the plant at the Seattle garden show, where they were calling it a Cuban Lily, did I realize I actually had a Sila Peruviana. In the 1700's when Linnaeus was naming all the plants of the world he had a friend bring him a plant on the ship Peru. At that time people were traveling back and forth from Southern Spain to Peru and as people do now they would bring their favorite plants. Throughout history we lose the actual history of some plants, such as where they originate. The friend brought the plant with him from Spain to Peru where Linnaeus named it, thus the name Sila Peruviana. It is easy to tell which end of this bulb is up. Generally, there will be little points of greenery that remind you of a Hershey's Kiss candy. I plant the bulb so that the bulb is covered and the greenery is showing above ground. The plant will grow about one foot tall, but will be wide. This plant was planted in the fall and it is now January. The plant maintains its greenery throughout most of the winter. If you plant this in your yard you may look forward to foliage in the winter months. If you look closely inside the leaves you will see a flower developing. The plant normally blooms for up to two months, April and May of each year. The blooms are large like the Agapanthus. Sila Peruviana multiplies easily. You may start with a small number of plants and in a few years you will have a nice bed of them. It is a plant that you really will enjoy. Next, we are going to talk about Peonies, another amazing, blooming flower.