Two-leaf squill

Scilla bifolia

Small bulb with star-shaped deep blue flowers held above just two strap-like leaves, opening with the snowdrops or shortly after in earliest spring.

Hardiness ratings

Two-leaf squill hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −34.4 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −29 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–3 −15 °C to 0 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Flowers February–March in much of the Northern Hemisphere — one of the very first spring bulbs alongside snowdrops
  • Naturalises freely by seed under deciduous trees
  • Earlier flowering and smaller than the related Scilla siberica
  • Needs winter chilling

Pet caution: Two-leaf squill is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Two-leaf squill against your zones

Reference

Two-leaf squill on Wikipedia