Chionodoxa Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Chionodoxa plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

Glory of the Snow: Cultivation & Garden Use

Plants of the genus Chionodoxa are small plants and are classified as hardy bulbs.

They flower from the end of winter into early spring, with blue star shaped flowers.

They reach from 7 to 20 cm in height, so make ideal plants for rockeries, where they should be planted in mass for a carpet effect.

Chionodoxa is known as Glory of the snow.

Chionodoxa belongs to the Asparagaceae, and is therefore a close relation to Asparagus plants, Brimeura, Polygonatum plants, Scilla species, Veltheimia and Yucca.

Chionodoxa luciliae
Chionodoxa luciliae (Glory of the snow) by Jason Sturner.

Chionodoxa
Chionodoxa flowers in the park by David Howard.

Chionodoxa forbesii
Chionodoxa forbesii by Otterman56.

Chionodoxa Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Glory of the snow; Pale, Forbes’, Siehe’s, Lesser, Dwarf, Loch’s.
Life Cycle: Hardy bulb.
Height: 3 to 9 inches (8 to 22 cm).
Native: Mediterranean.
Growing Region: Zones 4 to 8.
Flowers: Late winter through to early spring.
Flower Details: Blue, pink, white. Star-shaped. Six petals. Pyramidal raceme.
Foliage: Two leaves. Strap-like.
Sow Outside: Seeds: 1/4 inch (6 mm). Second half of summer. Bulbs: 3 to 4 inches (8 cm). Autumn. Spacing 3 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: one to three months. Temperature 55°F (13°C). Start any time; grow for one year then transplant into the garden at the start of autumn.
Requirements: Full sunlight or partial shade. Good drainage. Soil pH 6.0 to 7.0. Rich soil, moist soil. Regular watering. Provide a spring feed. Thin out by division after five years. Propagate: Allow to self seed, or plant the bulblets once flowering has finished.

How to Grow Glory of the Snow

Chionodoxa plant bulbs should be planted outdoors at a depth of 8 cm into a sunny or partially shaded part of the garden.

They can also be grown from seeds, which should be sowed at a depth of about 8 mm.

Glory of the Snow prefers to grow in a fertile soil with good drainage; ideally the soil should also be moist and have a pH of 6 to 7.

They should be planted about 8 cm apart to enable the plants to form a blanket.

Caring for Chionodoxa in the garden

Chionodoxa should be fertilised every couple of years and divided every five years or so.

Common Questions

How many members does the Chionodoxa genus have?

The Chionodoxa genus, also known as Glory of the Snow, includes about six species of early spring bloomers.

Do members of Chionodoxa make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Yes, Chionodoxa species are excellent for naturalizing in lawns, rock gardens, or under deciduous trees, creating stunning early spring displays.

Which Chionodoxa species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

The most frequently grown species is Chionodoxa luciliae (Glory of the Snow), loved for its starry blue flowers in spring.

Are members of the Chionodoxa plant genus fragrant?

While Chionodoxa flowers are not typically known for their fragrance, they provide early spring color when few other plants are blooming.

What is the perfect location to grow Chionodoxa?

Chionodoxa thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. They are perfect for naturalizing in grass or under deciduous trees.

Is Chionodoxa invasive in the USA?

Currently, Chionodoxa is not considered invasive in the USA. They are well-behaved spring bloomers often used for naturalizing.

How do I remove Chionodoxa plants from my garden?

To remove Chionodoxa, you can dig up the bulbs when the plants are dormant in late summer or early fall.

Summary

The Chionodoxa genus, part of the Asparagaceae family, is native to the eastern Mediterranean, particularly Crete, Cyprus, and Turkey. Also known as glory-of-the-snow, these perennial bulbous plants are known for their star-shaped blue flowers that bloom in early spring, often appearing through the snow.

To cultivate Chionodoxa, plant them in a sunny to partially shaded location with well-drained soil. They can be grown from bulbs planted in the autumn. Regular watering is necessary, but they are quite drought-tolerant once established. They are often used in rock gardens, lawns, or under shrubs and trees for early spring color.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on Chicory plants. You may also enjoy the following growing guides: Setcreasea plants and Libertia plants