Siberian Squill, that is.
“An excellent source of blue pollen,” says BBHB, who has graciously given me permission to use his photo of Siberian Squill.
Planting instructions according to Wisconsin Master Gardening Program: Plant the small bulbs in the fall, placing them 2 to 3 inches deep and 2 to 4 inches apart. Because of the ephemeral nature of the foliage, this small bulb can easily be grown in sunny lawns. To plant Siberian squill in turf, scatter the bulbs randomly in the area you want them. Then punch or auger a hole in the sod, using a dibble or other implement (some people suggest a cordless drill with a large bit), wherever a bulb has fallen. Place the bulb (pointed side up) at the bottom of the hole and fill in with additional soil. Wait until the bulb’s foliage has started to die down in spring before resuming mowing the lawn.
That sounds easy enough. I’m planting them tomorrow.
One of the first spring-flowering bulbs, easy to grow, cold hardy, blue pollen for the bees..what’s not to like? It’s considered invasive.
Discussion about Siberian Squill on beesource.com Why is it that so many of the plants that bees like are considered invasive??? I’m planting anyway because it’s an early food source, good for the bees, can grow in my lawn, is deer resistant, and will go dormant by mid May.
I too am planning to plant both Snowdrops and Siberaian Squill soon. Snowdrops start blooming before the Squill and my bees seem to adore it. As soon Snowdrops stop blooming Squill takes over 🙂
As for “invasive” 🙂 Mono-crop Agriculture is the worst invasive phenomena we have yet it seems legal. And because of it I will be planting for bees all sorts of “invasive” plants like Siberian Squill, Himalayan Balsam, etc …
Che, thanks for the mention of Snowdrops. I just found a source for that and have planted a bunch of them.