Chionodoxa luciliae

Chionodoxa luciliae bears bright blue star-shaped flowers with white hearts. It is also known as Glory of the snow, which is a perfect name for this beautiful plant. The flowers appear from the beginning of spring. This little bulbous plant easily naturalises under bushes, or even in planters, forming abundant colonies over time. Grow in full sun or partial shade, in light and moist soil.

This small perennial bulbous plant originates from the mountains of southern Turkey, Crete, and Cyprus. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family. Chionodoxa luciliae is the blue form of this plant, and is the most widespread. It forms small tufts measuring 15cm (6in) in height when flowering, spreading without theoretical limit thanks to the production of numerous bulbils, forming beautiful luminous sheets. In February-March-April, depending on the climate, it displays small azure blue stars with a white heart populated with yellow stamens. They measure 3cm (1in) in diameter and bloom for two weeks, celebrating the departure of the last snow. Several reddish stems carrying 3 to 6 small flowers will emerge from the bulb. Its deciduous foliage is ribbon-like and sword-shaped. The leaves are medium green, washed with purple at its tip.

Chionodoxa was once a very popular plant, but has been a little neglected in recent years. It is a flawless plant, easy to grow in a cool or mountainous climate. It is very hardy and welcome after winter. Its bright flowers spread out in flowering carpets in the company of hyacinths, squills, and botanical tulips. It will naturalise in sunny rockeries, and under deciduous trees and bushes, in partial shade. It should be planted close to borders, due to its low height. It will look wonderful when planted in a carpet of helxine. Chionodoxas also work well in pots.