Chionodoxa forbesii Mix

This mix of Chionodoxa forbesii brings together variously coloured flowering forms of a small bulbous plant poetically called Glory of the Snow, due to its early and bright spring flowering. Each plant offers charming little star-shaped flowers, from early spring.  It naturalises easily under trees, at the base of bushes, or even in flower pots, forming over time abundant multicoloured colonies, mixing white, blue, purple, pink, or light purple. Superb among daffodils and botanical tulips!

Chionodoxa forbesii is sometimes called Chionodoxa luciliae hort. Endemic to the mountains of southwestern Turkey, at altitudes above 2500 m (8202ft), this small perennial bulbous plant of the Hyacinthaceae family is a close relative of hyacinths. The small bulbs produce small clumps that reach 10-15 cm (4-6in) in height when flowering, spreading without theoretical limit thanks to the production of numerous bulblets, eventually forming beautiful bright carpets. In February-March-April, depending on the climate, its little stars celebrate for two weeks the departure of the last snow. From a bulb, one or two purplish stems will grow, carrying 3 to 10 small flowers with 6 petals of various colours depending on the plants, with a white base. Its foliage is ribbon-like, dark green, sometimes tinged with purple at the tip. It dries up from May-June, indicating that the plant enters a resting phase to escape the rigours of summer.

Chionodoxa forbesii was once a very popular plant, somewhat neglected in recent years. However, it is a flawless plant, easy to grow in cool or alpine climates, very hardy and welcome after winter. Its bright flowers spread out in flowering carpets in the company of hepaticas, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, and botanical tulips. It will naturalise in sunny rockeries, but also under deciduous trees and bushes, in semi-shade. It is advisable to plant it close to borders, due to its low height.  Chionodoxas are also very interesting for use in pots.