Bulbs

Chionodoxa
glory of the snow

- Height 4-8 in (10-20 cm)
- Planting distance 2-4 in (5-10 cm)
- Flowers late winter to late spring
- Ordinary well-drained garden soil
- Sunny or lightly shaded site
- Bulbs available late summer and fall
- Hardy zones 3-10

Glory of the snow casts swaths of brilliant starlike flowers over the ground from late winter throughout spring. In northern gardens, the blue stars rise above the melting snow. These little plants are among the easiest bulbs to grow, and left to their own devices, they will spread and colonize readily. They are ideal for brightening a rock garden in early spring, planting at the front of a border, or naturalizing in short grass. Chionodoxas grow equally well in full sun and light shade. They look stunning as a carpet below deciduous shrubs and trees.

Popular species and cultivars
Chionodoxa luciliae, the most popular species, has porcelain-blue flowers with white centers, and a pure white form, 'Alba,' is also available. The cultivar 'Pink Giant' is outstanding, with robust flower spikes of rosy pink. These flower from late winter to midspring on stems 6 in (15 cm) high. C. luciliae 'Gigantea,' sometimes listed in catalogs as C. gigantea, is taller, reaching a height of 8 in (20 cm). the flower spikes are violet-blue with white centers and appear from late winter to midspring. A related cultivar, 'Blue Giant,' is 6 in (15 cm) tall and bears bright blue flowers with large white centers. Plant C. luciliae bulbs 2-4 in (5-10 cm) apart, except for 'Gigantea' and 'Blue Giant,' which should be set 3-4 in (7.5-10 cm) apart. Chionodoxa sardensis is the smallest species, 4-6 in (10-15 cm) high. Its nodding sky-blue flowers with tiny white centers appear slightly later than the other chionodoxas, from early spring to late spring.

Bulbs