Glory of the Snow

Chionodoxa

Very low growing, early spring flowering bulbs that are great for naturalizing.
They prefer growing on well drained soil under hardwood trees where they receive abundant sun during early spring, then partial to full shade during summer.
It is recommended to plant them 3 to 5 inches deep at the base of the bulb during autumn. They are drought tolerant during summer but need consistent moisture while actively growing during spring. Do not cut back the foliage until it naturally turns yellow or brown, or you will stunt its growth and reduce flowering in following years.

* photo taken on April 4 2011 in Columbia, MD







* photo taken on April 11 2011 in Columbia, MD


* photos taken on Mar 18 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

Chionodoxa forbesii
A great bulb for naturalizing, reaching up to 6 inches in height. It can be used to carpet the floor of a hardwood deciduous forest as well as the smaller garden.
The rich blue flowers are borne during early spring.
Hard zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on fertile, moist soil.

Chionodoxa lochiae
Also called Chionodoxa gigantea. A great bulb for naturalizing, reaching up to 10 inches in height, that is native to moist pine forests in high elevations in the Toodos Mountains of Cyprus.
The narrow leaves, up to 11 ( rarely over 8 ) inches in length, are bright green.
The bright blue ( with white eye ), starry flowers, up to 1.6 inch across, are borne in clusters during early spring.
Hard zones 4 to 8 in full sun to shade on fertile, average to moist soil. Drought tolerant while dormant. Deer resistant. The bulbs should be planted 6 inches across, though this plant will naturalize after many years.

'Pink Giant'
Deep pink flowers.

Chionodoxa luciliae
A great bulb for naturalizing, reaching up to 8 inches in height, that is native to Turkey. It can be used to carpet the flood of a hardwood deciduous forest.
The narrow leaves, up to 11 ( rarely over 8 ) x 0.8 inches, are bright green.
The rich bright blue ( with white eye ), starry flowers, up to 1.3 inch across, are borne in clusters during early spring.
Hard zones 3 to 8 ( requires heavy mulch in 3 ) in full sun to shade on fertile, average to moist soil. Drought tolerant while dormant. Deer resistant. The bulbs should be planted 6 inches across, though this plant will naturalize after many years.

* photos taken on Mar 22 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 27 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 3 2022 in Columbia, MD

'Alba'
White flowers.

Chionodoxa sardensis
A bulb, reaching up to 8 inches in height, that is native to southwest Turkey. It can be used to carpet the floor of a hardwood deciduous forest as well as the smaller garden.
The narrow leaves, up to 11 ( rarely over 8 ) x 0.6 inches, are bright green.
The rich blue ( with very small white eye ), starry flowers, up to 1.6 inch across, are borne in racemes of up to 22 during early spring.
Hard zones 4 to 8 in full sun to shade on fertile, average to moist soil. Drought tolerant while dormant. Deer resistant. The bulbs should be planted 6 inches across, though this plant will naturalize after many years.