Did you know? One of Ontario's first spring blooms is invasive and toxic
The flowers are beautiful but spread quickly, displacing native plants.
Every day, we're waking up to more signs of spring: Robins flying about, dandelions blooming, and tiny creatures crawling in our gardens.
Another thing you may have noticed, especially if you live in southern Ontario, is striking blue flowers popping up in the grass. These tiny plants known as Scilla siberica, Siberian squill, or spring beauty, are among the first flowers to bloom each spring. Sometimes, they’ll even start pushing through frozen ground.
Individual flowers are small, about 10 cm high, but bloom in big numbers, with each bulb producing several stems that carpet lawns and surround tree bases.
Scilla can spread quickly. (file photo/Canva Pro)
These dense colonies can displace or outcompete native plants.
It was introduced to Canada as an ornamental, likely in the 1800s from Russia. It spread fast and overtook gardens, quickly becoming established in Ontario.
All parts of the plant contain compounds that can cause nausea, vomiting, and seizures in people and animals if ingested. Direct contact can result in skin irritation.
After blooming, scilla will go dormant until the following spring.
It spreads by seed, so mowing flower heads before they produce seeds, digging up bulbs, and laying down mulch in problem areas can prevent its spread.
Experts say one of the best preventative measures is to avoid planting it in your garden entirely, and opt for native species instead.
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Header image: File photo via Canva Pro.