Puschkinia
( push - KIN - ee - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationThe genus Puschkinia, commonly called S includes four species that grow from bulb and need full sun or light shade and regular watering during growth and bloom periods to perform well in the garden. They are native to the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Türkiye and produce 6-inch tall spikes of flowers above strappy green leaves. Flowers are typically pale blue with dark blue stripes. There are two species in the genus, only one of which, Puschkinia scilloides, is grown as a garden ornamental. The genus is a member of the plant family Asparagaceae, making these flowers close relatives of Scilla (Squill). Puschkinia grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4-8 or Sunset growing zones 1-11 and 14. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map. Use these ornamental bulbs as early-flowering bulbs in springtime in areas of the landscape that are cool and well-draining. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as they are mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested.
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Caring for Puschkinia
Puschkinia, or Striped Squill, can either be purchased as starts or bulbs from reputable nurseries or online sources or grown from seed. Space these plants three inches apart, and plant bulbs three inches deep with their pointed ends up. Striped Squill prefers a place in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade. They do very well planted under deciduous trees, where they can get enough light during their leafout and blooming seasons, but shelter during their dormancy. They appreciate well-draining soil that has a good sand content. They are not picky about soil pH. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Do not mulch, as most mulching materials are often to thick and heavy for the small bulbs. Water newly planted Puschkinias regularly as they establish a strong root system. Once mature, they appreciate regular waterings during their active growth and blooming cycle, and drier conditions as the season progresses and flowers fade to avoid rotting out the underground bulbs. As a general rule of thumb, they will need weekly waterings while they are active.
These plants do not need to be fertilized, but an application of compost can be added to the soil each year in springtime to support nutrition and healthy soil structure. These flowers are considered easy to care for and do not need to be pruned. However, if gardeners would like to control spread, flower spikes can be deadheaded to discourage reseeding. Removing spikes before they go to seed also encourages larger blooms to form in the next season, as bulbs are not wasting energy creating seeds. The grassy foliage should be left on plants for as long as it stays green so that photosynthetic material continues to be supplied to the bulb. They will die back after flowers fade in early summertime. New foliage will appear in fall and should be left on the plant until flowers bloom again. These plants typically do not need to be divided, unless they are being grown in a small space or in containers. For instructions on how to successfully divide Striped Squill plants, see the Propagation section below. Puschkinia flowers are long-lived perennial bulbs that can thrive in the landscape for decades before needing to be replaced. They will form clumps in the landscape, providing new flowers for the garden indefinitely.
These plants do not need to be fertilized, but an application of compost can be added to the soil each year in springtime to support nutrition and healthy soil structure. These flowers are considered easy to care for and do not need to be pruned. However, if gardeners would like to control spread, flower spikes can be deadheaded to discourage reseeding. Removing spikes before they go to seed also encourages larger blooms to form in the next season, as bulbs are not wasting energy creating seeds. The grassy foliage should be left on plants for as long as it stays green so that photosynthetic material continues to be supplied to the bulb. They will die back after flowers fade in early summertime. New foliage will appear in fall and should be left on the plant until flowers bloom again. These plants typically do not need to be divided, unless they are being grown in a small space or in containers. For instructions on how to successfully divide Striped Squill plants, see the Propagation section below. Puschkinia flowers are long-lived perennial bulbs that can thrive in the landscape for decades before needing to be replaced. They will form clumps in the landscape, providing new flowers for the garden indefinitely.
Propagation
Puschkinia, or Striped Squill, can be propagated by division or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. Additionally, Puschkinia grown from seed will not bloom until they are at least four years of age. To propagate your Striped Squill, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Puschkinia by Seed
Propagating Puschkinia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Puschkinia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 4-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Puschkinia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the small bulbs(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the bulb clumps with your fingers. Once they are separated, lay out the bulbs and remove any that have rotting or fungal growth. They can be tossed.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your bulbs and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.
Puschkinia seed heads hold multiple rounded seeds.
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Puschkinia seeds are typically small and light brown to tan in color.
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Problems and Pests
Puschkinia, or Striped Squill, plants can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
- Spider Mites
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Root Rot
Gallery
Striped Squill is a great flower to plant under deciduous trees, and is one of the few plants that can survive under Black Walnut trees.
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Over time, the underground bulbs of Puschkinia plants will form clumps and fill in large swaths of the landscape.
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These small flowers typically only reach up to between 4 to 6 inches tall.
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These small bulbs can be grown in containers as well as in the ground.
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These flowers are important food sources in early spring for bees and other pollinators.
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Striped Squill bulbs are very small.
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Videos
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Learn about these great garden bulbs.
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Striped Squill is a member of the Puschkinia genus.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 542, Puschkinia scilloides
