Scilla peruviana, Portuguese Squill, is native to the western Mediterannean - on both European and north African sides of the water - and is a herbaceous perennial geophyte with a spectacular conical raceme of blue flowers borne over several weeks in late spring. The large lush near-symmetrical rosette of foliage that preceeds flowering is equally memorable with a distinctly exotic feel to it. Over time it forms large clumps and self-seeds liberally throughout the garden. After flowering, the foliage dies back and the bulbs go into dormancy over the summer when they should be kept dry.

Although Scilla peruviana is often enough seen in British gardens and is easy-enough for anyone to grow, its warm dry origins should always be borne in mind for successful cultivation. It needs a gritty sandy soil that is free-draining and able to dry out in the long days of summer and a thick mulch of grit or bark or both is a sensible strategy to keep it well-insulated during the winter. It also lends itself well to container culture and looks stunning in a terracotta bowl or pot where its foliage is displayed to maximum effect and the blue of the flowers contrasts so well with the container. Containers have the added advantage of being able to bring them in under cover if a truly arctic weather front catches you on the hop.

These are here sold in large 2 Litre pots.