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Chionodoxa luciliae is often confused with:
Chionodoxa luciliae Close up
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Heuchera americana A cultivar with purple and silvery leaves
Iris reticulata Flowers
Viola pedata Viola pedata
Chionodoxa luciliae has some common insect problems:
Narcissus Bulb Fly

Glory of the Snow Chionodoxa luciliae

Previously known as:

  • Chionodoxa gigantea
  • Scilla luciliae
Phonetic Spelling
kee-on-oh-DOCKS-ah loo-SIL-ee-eye
Description

From the Greek words chion which translates to snow and doxa meaning glory, Glory-in-the-Snow is an early spring blooming bulb with star-shaped blue-purple flowers. Swiss botanist Pierre Edmond Boissier honored his wife Lucille. 

They bloom February to March and the foliage dies down by late spring to early summer.  Its common name Glory-of-the-snow comes from its bloom period, which may include poking up though the late wintertime snow.  

Plant bulbs in the fall 3 inches deep and 2-3 inches apart in average well-drained garden soil. They need moisture during the growing season but tolerate dry summers.  

Its native habitat includes disturbed locations including fields and meadows.  

Uses include rock gardens, beds, ground covers, lawns, and woodland gardens. Spreading like a carpet, they can be utilized as a ground cover.  They naturalize easily and also self seed.  They can spread easily, but are not considered to be invasive.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues.  Nematodes occasionally cause serious issues.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
    White flowers
  • 'Gigantea'
    2" diameter blue flowers
'Alba', 'Gigantea'
Tags:
#bulb#drought tolerant#perennial bulbs#blue flowers#mass planting#lilac flowers#deer resistant#rock garden#self-seeding#pollinator plant#clumping#naturalized area#flowers early spring#perennial#pollinator garden#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
    White flowers
  • 'Gigantea'
    2" diameter blue flowers
'Alba', 'Gigantea'
Tags:
#bulb#drought tolerant#perennial bulbs#blue flowers#mass planting#lilac flowers#deer resistant#rock garden#self-seeding#pollinator plant#clumping#naturalized area#flowers early spring#perennial#pollinator garden#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chionodoxa
    Species:
    luciliae
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Adds color to a late winter garden.
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Western Turkey
    Wildlife Value:
    Pollinators are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Black Walnut
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    When dry, the capsule will release two or more seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1-inch violet-blue star-shaped flowers have white centers and appear in early spring in loose racemes of 2-5
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Produces two semi-erect, slightly recurving basal leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Erect stem.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought