Family HYACINTHACEAE
Genus Merwilla
Species plumbea
SA Plant Number
Basionym Merwilla plumbea

Merwilla plumbea (=Scilla natalensis) is a very hardy, deciduous, bulbous plant with a basal rosette of attractive, broad, grey-green leaves.

The long flowering spikes carry flowers in shades of misty blue and are borne from September to December.

Plant in full sun or light shade, either solitary as a form plant or in clumps to make a show when flowering. Bulbs should be planted half above the ground.

It is ideal for rockeries and is a lovely container plant. Makes a wonderful display when planted with Bulbine natalensis that flowers at the same time with yellow flower spikes.

One of our most important medicinal plants.

Size 30 to 40cm

Landscaping: Bold, scuptural leaves through Spring and Summer, into Autumn. Good container plant or for rockeries.

Medicinal Plant: One of our most important medicinal plants in traditional South African medicine.

Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State

Natural Habitat Cliffs, Damp grassland, Rugged Mountainsides  

Growth Rate: Moderate, Evergreen or Deciduous: Deciduous , Hardiness - Frost: Frost Hardy, Plant Type: Bulbs and Rhizomes, Position: Semi-shade, Position: Sun - Full, Soil: Loamy - Compost rich Soil, Soil: Well-drained, Garden Uses: Butterfly Host, Garden Uses: Container Plant, Garden Uses: Cut Flower, Garden Uses: Damp areas, Garden Uses: Form Plant, Garden Uses: Rockeries and retaining walls, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Garden Uses: Specimen, Hardiness - Drought: Drought Hardy, Flower colour: Blue and shades of purple, Garden type: Grassland Garden, Garden type: Rocky outcrop and Koppie Gardens,

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