Daily, we’re waking as much as extra indicators of spring: Robins flying about, dandelions blooming, and tiny creatures crawling in our gardens.
One other factor you could have seen, particularly for those who stay in southern Ontario, is placing blue flowers popping up within the grass. These tiny crops generally known as Scilla siberica, Siberian squill, or spring magnificence, are among the many first flowers to bloom every spring. Generally, they’ll even begin pushing by frozen floor.
Particular person flowers are small, about 10 cm excessive, however bloom in large numbers, with every bulb producing a number of stems that carpet lawns and encompass tree bases.
Scilla can unfold shortly. (file picture/Canva Professional)
These dense colonies can displace or outcompete native plants.
It was introduced to Canada as an ornamental, probably within the 1800s from Russia. It unfold quick and overtook gardens, shortly turning into established in Ontario.
All components of the plant contain compounds that may trigger nausea, vomiting, and seizures in individuals and animals if ingested. Direct contact may end up in pores and skin irritation.
After blooming, scilla will go dormant till the next spring.
It spreads by seed, so mowing flower heads earlier than they produce seeds, digging up bulbs, and laying down mulch in downside areas can forestall its unfold.
Consultants say the most effective preventative measures is to keep away from planting it in your backyard fully, and go for native species instead.
RELATED: Studying which backyard crops are poisonous to pets
Header picture: File picture by way of Canva Professional.
