Chionodoxa

‘Glory of the Snow’. This is an easily grown genus from the middle east, extending west as far as Crete. It comprises 6 or 7 species, valuable for early spring colour especially in cold gardens. They are sometimes lumped, botanically into Scilla with which they hybridise to give Chionoscilla.

To quote Brian Mathew “ Some botanists consider that Chionodoxa cannot be separated as a genus from Scilla. However, it is useful for communication purposes to continue to use the name Chionodoxa for these eight species as they are instantly recognisable as a group; they all have flowers with an obvious perianth tube (which Scilla has not) and wide, flattened filaments forming a central cone around the ovary and style”.

They are relatively undemanding as to soil type but do appreciate cool, moist soils that do not become hot and dry in the summer. These are cool, mountain-top plants which grow and flower at the edge of melting snow and should be treated accordingly, they are not lowland Mediterranean species and will do better without a hot dry “bake” in the summer.

Available for ordering from our Autumn list only.