Plant DetailShow Menu

Leucojum aestivum is often confused with:
Galanthus nivalis Flower
Scilla mischtschenkoana Flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Crocus Crocus
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Viola striata Viola striata
Leucojum aestivum has some common insect problems:
Narcissus Bulb Fly

Leucojum aestivum

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
lew-KOH-jum ES-tih-vum
Description

This plant is a bulbous perennial that grows up to 24" tall. Despite the common name of Summer Snowflake, the plant's drooping, white, green-tipped flowers bloom mid-spring or late winter rather than summer. Compared to G. nivalis, this plant has tepals of equivalent size. This plant spreads readily and is often planted in lawns as well as rock gardens, under deciduous trees, in shrub borders, as ground cover, in woodland gardens, and in flower beds. It does best when it is planted in mass. This plant is tolerant of heavy deciduous shade, tolerates drought during dormancy, and needs moisture during its growth period. This plant is also tolerant of wet and clay soils. This plant is seldom damaged by deer. Plant in autumn, bury bulbs 2-4" deep and space 6" apart.

Quick ID Hints:

  • 6 tepals of equivalent length with green marks at the apex
  • Linear, straplike leaves grow up to 24" tall.
  • Scape has 2-5 nodding, bell-shaped, white flowers; ovaries are inferior
  • Scape terminates have spathe of 1 green bract

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  

More information on Leucojum.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Gravetye Giant'
'Gravetye Giant'
Tags:
#bulb#white flowers#winter interest#mass planting#spreading#deer resistant#groundcover#rock garden#cutting garden#spring interest#fantz#spring flowering bulbs#shrub borders#lawn planting#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Gravetye Giant'
'Gravetye Giant'
Tags:
#bulb#white flowers#winter interest#mass planting#spreading#deer resistant#groundcover#rock garden#cutting garden#spring interest#fantz#spring flowering bulbs#shrub borders#lawn planting#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Leucojum
    Species:
    aestivum
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe to North Iran
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    This plant produces capsules.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    4-5 petals/rays
    6 petals/rays
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are campanulate, nodding, faintly scented, and have 2-7 petals. Pedicels are short and slender. There are 6 perianth segments that are broad-oblong, entire, mucronate, less than an inch in size, and have an apical green mark. They are drooping, white, and bloom in mid-spring.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are basal, linear, grow between 2-3" long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Scapes are stout, hollow, and are terminated by a spathe of 1 membrance bract.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Heavy Shade
    Wet Soil