Home | E-mail | Plant files | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search

All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Encyclopaedia of Bulbs. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.

  Ledebouria socialis
(Syn: Scilla violacea)
CACTUS ART
NURSERY

Cultivation and Mail Sale
of Cacti and Succulents.


Ledebouria socialis / Scilla violacea (Silver Squill) is probably the most popular bulb among succulent collections, it has stunning spots on the leaves which make it beautiful and interesting to look at.
Whenever a plant lover comes across it, it always elicits a very favourable response.
 

 The foliage is the beauty of this plant. The single spike of flowers is not spectacular, but if allowed to become a many-headed specimen, the blooms can be quite impressive en mass. Flowers are very interesting if magnified.

Propagation:
Seeds or (usually) by division of bulb-clusters.
 

Photo gallery: Alphabetical listing of Cactus and Succulent pictures published in this site.

Photo gallery LEDEBOURIA


Advertising



 

Family: Hyacinthaceae (formerly Liliaceae) Bluebell family


Scientific name:  Ledebouria socialis (Baker) Jessop 1970

OriginIt is native to South Africa.

Habitat: Grows in arid savanna in summer-rainfall regions, this species has mottled leaves enabling it to blend into its thicket backdrop.

Common Names include: Silver Squill, Bluebell, South African Scilla, Leopard Lily, Violet Squill.

Synonyms:
  • Scilla socialis Baker
  • Scilla paucifolia Baker
  • Scilla violacea Hutch

Description: Small evergreen perennial bulbs in thick clusters that survive drought as effectively as any succulent.
Bulb:  Teardrop-shaped, green to purple, clothed in peeling, papery tunics that prevent water loss, 2-4 cm centimetres in diameter that necks above soil, it will soon cluster.
Leaves: Lance-shaped, strap-like, 10-15 cm long and 2 cm wide, upright, fleshy, light silvery green, and basal with dark-green, turquoise, olive or aquamarine markings above and wine-red to purple beneath.
Flowers: Forms racemes of bell-shaped flowers. They are showy, greenish purple-pink with a small pink stripe running down each petal, can be up to 20+ flowers on each spike.
Blooming season:  Spring and summer.
 

 



Forms racemes of bell-shaped flowers. They are showy, greenish purple-pink with a small pink stripe running down each petal,


Cultivation:
Ledebouria socialis is an  easy-to-care plant. It needs full sun to partial shade with a well-drained soil mix. Let it dry completely between waterings. Feed monthly with 50% strength soluble house plant food when it is actively growing. Hardy down to freezing so best kept in a frost free place indoors and can be grown outside where there is no danger of frost. Bulbs at the base of the plant must be above the soil. It is very happy sitting in window sill too.

Home | E-mail | Plant files | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search

All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Encyclopaedia of Bulbs. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.