Glory of the snow flowers are flat open stars.

Violet blue petals fade to white in the centre.

A naturalized planting of glory of the snow at VanDusen Botanical Garden.

Glory of the snow flowers in March into April.

Their shiny linear green leaves grow upright.

Pink Giant glory of the snow.

​Common Name:  glory of the snow
Botanical Name:  Chionodoxa luciliae, aka Scilla luciliae
Form:    upright, vase
Family:  Asparagaceae
Genus:  Chionodoxa
Species:  luciliae
Plant Type: spring flowering perennial bulb
Mature Size:  6 inches
Growth: fast
Origin:  Turkey
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
Foliage:  2-3 narrow, linear shiny green, 8cm x 2cm
Flowers: light violet blue linear petals that fade to white at the flowers centre resembling a white eye, pyramidal racemes, 3.5 cm across, March & April
Fruit: seed pods
Exposure:  sun to dappled shade
Soil:  well-drained, average, sandy, acidic, clay
Uses:  woodlands, mixed borders, containers, cut flower, massing, in lawns, meadows, under trees, slopes, banks
Attracts: pollinators
Invasive Tendencies: self-seeds, produces bulblets but easy to control
Tolerates: black walnut, deer
Propagation: bulbs, seeds
​Problems:  no serious issues

Comments: 
Chionodoxa luciliae is one of the first bulbs to flower in spring, hence it common name ‘glory of the snow’. As early as March, their flat, star-shaped flowers open up to the sky. Each flower bears six violet blue petals that fade to white at the flower’s centre. Two to three flowers are held on 6” brownish stems. After flowering, plants die back and go into dormancy until the following spring (spring ephemeral).
 
When planted en masse, glory of the snow self-seeds to becomes a luminous lavender carpet. Plant them under maples and other deciduous trees, in rockeries, sunny woodlands, slopes, banks, meadows, containers, mixed borders and in the lawn. Plant with daffodils, species tulips and snowdrops.
 
Planting
Plant bulbs in autumn. Select a sunny spot with good drainage. Plant bulbs 3” deep and 2-3” apart.
 
Naturalizing
For a natural look, throw handfuls of bulbs over a lawn or garden bed and plant them where they land. Although glory of the snow spreads by seeds and bulblets, it is not considered invasive as it is easily controlled. 

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