Scilla peruviana, Portuguese Squill

Early spring flower heads are a mass of cobalt blue florets from blue-black buds on 12" stems. A rosette of glossy, dark green leaves surrounds the squat, often single bloom. To debunk a misconception, it comes not from Peru but from the Mediterranean. It was brought to England on a ship called The Peru in the 17th century leading Linnaeus to misunderstand and, subsequently misname it, so the story goes. It needs a summertime rest during dormancy — hot and dry is its preference, ensuring spring bloom. Minimum temperature: 0° F