Ledebouria socialis (silver squill)

Japanese name: レデボウリア ソキアリス
Scientific name: Ledebouria socialis

[Overview]
A bulbous perennial.
The bulb emerges above the ground, and small bulbs form around it.
Several simple leaves emerge from the tip of the bulb; they are narrowly oblong-elliptic, about 10 cm long, with dark green spots on a grayish green surface and a reddish purple underside.
The leaf margins are entire.
A raceme emerges from the leaf axils and bears many small, greenish-white, 6-petaled flowers.
The fruit is a capsule.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division (separating bulbs).
It can overwinter outdoors in areas without frost.
It is easy to grow.
It prefers sun, good ventilation and well-drained soil.
Strong direct sunlight in midsummer may scorch the leaves, in which case move it to partial shade.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; when the leaves begin to wither in autumn, gradually reduce watering, and during winter dormancy, withhold water so that the soil does not dry out completely.
If fertilizer is applied at planting, almost no further fertilizer is needed, but diluted liquid fertilizer may be given during the growing period.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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