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No Quibble GuaranteeHow to grow Chionodoxa
Chionodoxa, also known as Glory of the Snow, are one of the first bulbs to flower. Native to the highlands of Eastern Europe, the mass of dainty, star-shaped blooms are set upon lush, green, strap-shaped foliage. Perfect underplanted in a cottage or informal garden, giving you a bright carpet of colour. Alternatively, Chionodoxa will create fantastic features in pots and containers or thrive growing in your lawn.
In shades of sky blue, lavender, pink or white, these clump forming perennials are the star of the show in early March.
Key Information
Soil pH
Position
Hardiness
Where & when to plant Chionodoxa
Chionodoxa are hardy, bulbous perennials that are best planted in the autumn, into moist, well-drained soil in a sunny spot, although semi-shade will be tolerated. Struggling to thrive in wet, waterlogged conditions, ensure you add a generous amount of organic matter such as peat moss, bark or manure to aid with the drainage. If planting into containers, use a good general-purpose compost.
How to plant Chionodoxa
Dig a hole and plant the bulbs around 5cm deep and 7cm apart to allow each one to spread. If not well-drained, amend your soil with a generous amount of grit, sand, bark or manure to allow excess moisture to drain away.
What to plant with Chionodoxa
A large drift of Chionodoxa is hard to beat, they almost seem to sparkle. But if you have not got the room, they excel when planted in clumps. Being quite short, make sure you do not overshadow them with taller bulbs. The perfect companions would be small Daffodils like Rip Van Winkle, a bright double bloom to really highlight your Chionodoxa, or Crocus and Muscari Grape Hyacinths.
How to care for Chionodoxa
After planting your bulbs, water well to settle the surrounding soil. Roots will take hold in the autumn months, and you should expect to see buds and flowers in the early springtime.
Once flowering is over, keep the foliage intact and do not cut back as the leaves will continue to gather sunlight, strengthening the plant for the following growth period. You should water your Chionodoxa when deemed necessary and in periods of drought. During early summer, the leaves should die back when the plant goes into dormancy, whereby you can remove the foliage. You can propagate Chionodoxa by seed sown in pots in a cold frame, once they are ripe.
How to propagate Urginea
Urginea are imposing plants, creating a dramatic statement when planted alone, creating quite an impressive clump when they have naturalised.
However, when grown amongst grasses or interspersed Allium they look incredible.
When choosing companion plants, think about the growing conditions that are preferred by each plant. Maybe grow Urginia maritima with Allium Forelock, Moly or Hair – the almost globe-like spheres of blooms will hover above the foliage but will have faded by the time the Urginea flowers have fully developed so will not detract from the spectacle.
Whether grown in borders or containers, the period when the foliage is absent could be filled with a low growing, evergreen carpet of Delosperma Suntropics Purple, Copper or Red, which become covered with bright almost neon coloured daisy-like flowers from spring until the first frosts.
