Scilla? I think not!
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HarleyLady
Location: Willamette Valley
Posted: Jul-05-2005 at 8:59pm
Last week I dismantled some falling apart whiskey barrel planters and when I saw they were full of scilla I was grateful that *somebody* had enough sense to contain them as at my last house it was an ongoing chore trying to remove them.
Today I went to get my wheelbarrow which was still full of the old soil and noticed that these "scilla" were separating slightly at the top. Is it possible that they are lilies? What could be dormant at this time of year (perhaps only because they haven't been watered) with a white roundish bulb that has layers although they are pretty inconspicuous unless you look closely. There were also some other white bulbs that were thinner and elongated. If they are lilies, with which I have no experience, will they be any good after sitting in the sun for days? They feel a little soft but are not completely dessicated.
HarleyLady
KellieD
Location: Oregon, Northern Coast
Posted: Jul-05-2005 at 9:04pm
Sounds like the wood hyacinth bulbs. As they get bigger and older they do seem to have a scaled appearance, but truly scaled like the lilies are.
My vote is that they are not lilies, but they will be fine to plant even if they are softening
HarleyLady
Location: Willamette Valley
Posted: Jul-06-2005 at 6:27am
Well, I've never seen scilla separate like this but if that's what they are, then they're headed for the burn pile. Unless you'd like them, Kellie ?
HarleyLady
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Jul-06-2005 at 8:55am
Lily bulbs are definitely round and have a separated/serrated top of the bulb as you said, HL. If they were lilies, you would be able to easily pull the pieces apart. I have found that hyacinthoids (also known as scilla) are more teardrop to elongated shape, have a very tight top and are not easily separated at the top of the bulb.
If they are hyacinthoides, burn or toss 'em. If you are not sure, you can put them back into a pot and see what they do next year.

Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton