Scilla/Merwilla natalensis

Like Liz I thought the picture of the mystery plants looked a bit like
Scilla (now called Merwilla by some) natalensis too. But I don't grow very
many so I don't know what other species look like. The California grown
plants bloom in April.

However I had this vague memory that when Bill Dijk gave a number of us
fresh seed of this in December 1997 we discussed this in the old IBS list
and that people had different experiences with this plant so I have just
consulted my archives from that time to refresh my memory . Sir Peter
Smithers was on that list and was growing his in a container (as my plants
get bigger and bigger I wonder about that) as he said it was too cold in
Switzerland where he lived to plant them in the ground. He quoted from his
book:

"Scilla natalensis is a stately creature sometimes two feet high, with a
fountain of broad beautifully sculptured leaves from the centre of which
arises a spike of uncountable tiny blue flowers. Leaves and then flowers
appear in early autumn. At their base is a large fat bulb sitting on top
of the earth in the manner of a Hippeastrum - - - - the exact opposite of
what we think of as a Scilla. S.natalensis is a reliable as well as
elegant pot plant which can be depended on to flower every autumn. It must
have a complete rest after the foliage dies down in summer and the
protection of a frost free place during its season of growth in autumn and
winter. To my eye it is beautiful and it lasts in flower for a
considerable time."

Bill Dijk wrote from the Jack Hobbs and Terry Hatch book (New Zealand
experience therefore) and this is mostly a direct quote so I'll add quotes:
"Scilla natalensis from South Africa is a highly desirable species for
large gardens. It forms large clumps,and when located among rocks where the
huge papery bulbs can be seen, it is very effective. In early summer the
pyramidal flower spike emerge and quickly grow to 1 meter or more. They are
covered with hundreds of soft powder blue starry flowers, which appear
continually for several weeks. The flowers are followed by 40 cm. long
grey-green leaves,which often have a purple sheen. Bulbs should be planted
with their lower third below soil level in
autumn or winter. They multiply slowly, seed is therefore the quickest
method of increase. Seed must be absolute FRESH when sown, as old seed does
not germinate. It should be sown on the surface or barely covered,and
germination will be rapid (7-10 days). Small bulbs will form before
winter,at which time they will become dormant,coming into growth again the
following Spring. Between 4 and 7 years are required for bulbs of flowering
size to develop."

Seed sown by me December 1997 bloomed for the first time April 2004 so I
guess I was in that time frame.

From Bill "Unfortunately bulbs are not fully hardy, they should be grown
only in
near frost-free, well drained areas, although it can be grown as a special
specimen container plant in colder climates,with necessary protection in
Winter."

There was a man on the IBS list from British Columbia who reported that he
had been in the habit of drying off and storing Scilla natalensis through
his rather cold and definitely wet winters, but one year left some
outside. In spite of temperatures down to -12C (about 10 F.) and
flooding, they remained bright green and thriving. He concluded that it
appeared they could
be considered evergreen in the NW and probably the SE US. When the bulbs
were dried off and stored dry over winter they were extremely slow to
return to growth and then the leaves did not appear until July.

John Ingram gave me a few that he been growing in tiny pots for a long time
to try in the ground since I had been reluctant to do so with my surviving
container of the Bill Dijk gift in case I lost it with my wet winters and
very dry summers. I repotted them in much deeper containers before moving
them into the ground to give them a chance to get bigger with regular water
and fertilizer and they immediately appreciated that and began to grow
rapidly. I put a couple of them in the ground last winter and they did just
fine, but are now beginning to look very ratty and drying back. The
pictures Liz put on the wiki of the huge bulbs they have at the UC
Botanical garden shows them definitely dormant in winter, not evergreen.

So there you have it. Once again there is more than one way to grow the
same species.

Mary Sue