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No Quibble GuaranteeHow to grow Puschkinia
An unusual relative of the Hyacinth, more commonly known as Stiped Squill, and unfamiliar to many gardeners.
Puschkinia are dwarf bulbous perennial plants, native to Southwest Asia. Erect stems fashion clusters of large star-shaped blooms, being rich in nectar and pollen your local pollinators will be visiting. Puschkinia can be grown in flower beds or as under-planting within cottage and informal gardens, within pots and containers. Puschkinia will also naturalise in grassy areas where avoiding mowing until June is acceptable.
Key Information
Soil pH
Position
Hardiness
Where & when to plant Puschkinia
Puschkinia bulbs should be planted in the autumn, into moist but well-drained soil. If you are not ready to plant your Leucojum bulbs when you receive them, store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place in temperatures between 4-20°C for a short while but be careful they do not dry out too much. Alternatively, you could plant them in compost in a seed tray and keep them moist, until you are ready.
Choose an area in either full sun or partial shade. Doing well when planted under deciduous trees and shrubs, so long as there is some sunlight, they prefer an area of full sun or part shade.
If your soil is not well-drained, you may need to add some compost and some horticultural grit or sand to aid with drainage. Bulbs do not like to sit in a waterlogged environment, and they could rot.
How to plant Puschkinia
Looking rather like mini onions, plant the bulbs pointed end up, in holes you have dug to around 8-10cm deep, then back fill with soil. For a more natural look, plant in clumps or drifts by gently tossing a handful of bulbs onto the desired area and plant them where they fall, so long as they are around 10cm apart. Alternatively, dig a wide shallow hole and scatter the bulbs before filling in. Water the area to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
If growing in a container, use good quality multi-purpose compost and plant as above, although you can place the bulbs closer together, but make sure that they are not touching each other or the sides of the pot.
What to plant with Puschkinia
Puschkinia compliment most spring flowering bulbs, but ideal companions are Fritillaria meleagris, Cyclamen and Crocus King of the Striped. Visit our website hayloft.co.uk for more ideas and inspiration.
How to care for Puschkinia
Once the flowering period is over, you should allow the foliage to die back naturally before pruning as this will prepare the bulbs for the following season. It is important that you keep the soil moist, so maintain a consistent watering schedule, especially during periods of drought. Apply a generous layer of mulch in the autumn to retain moisture levels and to protect the plant from excessive cold and weeds.
Lift and divide overcrowded clumps, planting smaller sections in new areas.
It is possible to propagate Puschkinia by seed sown during the summer or autumn set in containers and kept moist within a cold frame. Alternatively separate offsets as the leaves die down.
How to propagate Urginea
Urginea are imposing plants, creating a dramatic statement when planted alone, creating quite an impressive clump when they have naturalised.
However, when grown amongst grasses or interspersed Allium they look incredible.
When choosing companion plants, think about the growing conditions that are preferred by each plant. Maybe grow Urginia maritima with Allium Forelock, Moly or Hair – the almost globe-like spheres of blooms will hover above the foliage but will have faded by the time the Urginea flowers have fully developed so will not detract from the spectacle.
Whether grown in borders or containers, the period when the foliage is absent could be filled with a low growing, evergreen carpet of Delosperma Suntropics Purple, Copper or Red, which become covered with bright almost neon coloured daisy-like flowers from spring until the first frosts.
