The Chionodoxa group of bulbs are all early spring flowering - hence the common name of Glory of the Snow. They are sometimes to be found with their mainly blue flowers peeping though shallow snow.
Planting and Care of Chionodoxa Bulbs - Chinodoxa are generally hardy and need very little care. Normally available in Autumn at garden centres, the Chionodoxa bulbs should be planted in the Autumn at a depth of no more than 3in (7-8cms).
Chionodoxa forbesii in early spring.
They can be planted in any but the heaviest of soils, but preferably well-drained, and in full sun. Dappled shade will also be suitable. Superb display if naturalised in large drifts. Chionodoxa are well suited to rockery gardens or raised beds. Walled beds are also suitable.
The flowers are rarely more than a few inches off the ground, and give a spectacular display in the earliest part of the year.
Propagation of Chionodoxa
Seeds can
be harvested or bought and then sown as soon as possible
after harvesting or purchase. Best kept in a coldframe - ensuring that
it does not get too hot with early summer sun.
Chionodoxa can also be lifted to remove the offset bulbs in mid summer - after foliage has died down. The offset bulbs can be grown for a further year, before planting in their flowering positions the following autumn.
Naturalised Chionodoxas tend to seed themselves and young bulbs can also be transplanted from this source.
Types of Chionodoxa
All of the commonly grown Chionodoxas have star-shaped flowers - around half inch (1cm) across borne in profusion and normally several top a single stem.
The deepest blue is Chionodoxa forbesii - but with a white centre to the flowers. Chinodoxa luciliae is similar, but with less delicate flowers. There is a pink form of Chionodox forbesii 'Pink Giant'. This is similar in all other respects to the normal blue version.
There are no known pests or disease - or indeed any other problems - with Chinodoxa bulbs.