Essential growing information for these cheery, spring-blooming bulbs
Glory-of-the-snow flowers (Chionodoxa spp.
)are some of theearliest to bloom.
Over the years, there has been much confusion on the proper nomenclature for glory-of-the-snow.
Credit: Richard Hirneisen
The foliage declines quickly and goes dormant just after the bulbs finish flowering.
Glory-of-the-snow plants that are allowed to grow freely in lawns can then be mowed along with the grass.
In coolhardiness zones3-5, this could mean planting as early as September.
Credit: Richard Hirneisen
In warmer zone 8, it could mean waiting until December to plant.
Replace the soil and water thoroughly.
The bulbs should emerge in the spring.
Light
Glory-of-the-snow thrives infull sunbut also fares well inpartial or dappled sun.
Soil and Water
Glory-of-the-snow requireswell-drained soilwith a neutral to slightly acidic (6.07.0)pH level.
In areas with regular rainfall, glory-of-the-snow bulbs may not need any supplemental watering.
Once the blooms fade, reduce your watering routine.
Temperature and Humidity
True to their common name, glory-of-the-snow plants do best in cooler climates.
The cold stretch between fall planting and spring blooming is an essential part of the plants life cycle.
For planting glory-of-the-snow bulbs, the ideal temperature is between 40F and 50F.
If conditions are unseasonably warm, the bloom season may arrive early and be shorter than in cooler years.
If the air and soil are dry, the bulbs may not bloom.
After the foliage has faded, however, the dormant bulbs can tolerate summer drought and dry conditions.
Do not fertilize your plants if blooms have already emerged.
Pruning
Pruning should not be necessary for glory-of-the-snow plants.
They tend to grow only 6 inches tall at best.
After the foliage dies back in about five to six weeks, mow as you would a traditional lawn.
Choose a container with excellent drainage and fill it with loose, well-draining potting mix.
Plant the bulbs about 3 inches deep and 1 to 3 inches apart.
After the foliage turns from green to yellow and then brown, you could remove it.
Repotting is unnecessary as the plant dies back at the end of each season.
Credit: Richard Hirneisen
If you want to collectChionodoxaseeds, look for round seed pods that form in late spring.
Sow the seeds on the surface of good quality soilmixed with compostand gently water them.
To divide your glory-of-the-snow bulbs, moisten the soil and dig them up in the fall.
Credit:W. Garrett Scholes
Remove any bulb offshoots and discard them or plant them separately.
Its best to divide congested clumps every three to four years to maintain vigorous growth.
Plant it in zones 3-8.
Glory-of-the-Snow
FamiliarChionodoxa lucilaeoffers starry blue flowers that open early in the spring, even blooming through snow.
The petals reveal white centers that resemble a touch of clouds on sky-blue petals.
It grows approximately 5 inches tall in zones 3-8.
It grows 6 inches tall in zones 3-8.
Violet Beauty Glory-of-the-Snow
ThisChionodoxa luciliaeselection is a beautiful pink-violet form of the standby.
Plant it in zones 3-8.
Plant this beauty in zones 3-8.
Companion Plants for Glory-of-the-Snow
Daffodil
No spring garden would be complete without the addition ofdaffodils.
It is hardy in zones 4-8 and, like glory-of-the-snow, returns every year with no need for replanting.
Hellebore
Like glory-of-the-snow,helleboresare easy to grow and pretty to look at.
Unlike glory-of-the-snow, the stunning, colorful bowl-shaped flowers remain on the plant for several months.
Deer-resistant and mostly evergreen, hellebores divided leaves rise on sturdy stems and may be serrated along the edges.
They are hardy in zones 4-9.
Like glory-of-the-snow, primroses are also a popular choice for rock gardens and for naturalizing into lawns.
Primroses are hardy in zones 2-8.
In general, no.
In the mid- to late fall, moisten the soil and dig up the bulbs.
Divide them if necessary and transplant them immediately to a new spot.
The flowers last about three weeks before slowly fading.
After the flowers fade, the foliage will start to yellow and die back in a few weeks.
American Daffodil Society-The United States Center for Daffodil Information.
