Leucojum, Genus, spp., Multiple species,
- Genus
- Multiple species
snowflake
Overview
Leucojum is a genus of two bulbous perennials in the family Amaryllidaceae, the snowflakes, native to central and southern Europe. Plants grow from a tunicate bulb and produce strap-shaped, dark green basal leaves and leafless flowering stems. The nodding flowers are white and bell-shaped, with six equal tepals each marked near the tip with a green or occasionally yellow spot. L. vernum, the spring snowflake, is 15-30 cm (6-12 in) tall and usually carries one or two flowers per stem in late winter, while L. aestivum, the summer snowflake, reaches 40-60 cm (16-24 in) and bears three to seven flowers in mid-spring despite its name. Both grow from clump-forming bulbs that multiply over time. In the wild the genus occupies damp meadows, woodland, and streamsides, and L. aestivum tolerates seasonally wet ground that many bulbs cannot. The bulbs and foliage contain alkaloids that are toxic if eaten. Several plants once placed in Leucojum have been moved to the related genus Acis, leaving the snowflakes as a small, clearly bounded group.
Native Range
Leucojum is native to central and southern Europe, from France and the Iberian Peninsula east to the Balkans and parts of western Asia. Plants grow in damp meadows, deciduous woodland, and along streams, and have naturalized in parts of North America and beyond.Suggested Uses
Grown in borders, damp and woodland gardens, beside ponds and streams, and naturalized in grass. L. aestivum suits wet sites where many bulbs fail, and clumps are spaced 10-15 cm (4-6 in) apart.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 2'
Width/Spread3" - 6"
Bloom Information
L. vernum flowers in late winter to early spring, often February to March, while L. aestivum flowers a little later, in April and May. The nodding white bells last two to three weeks. Foliage persists after flowering and dies down in early summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white with green or yellow tipsFoliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in full sun to part shade and prefer moist, humus-rich soil that does not dry out, with L. aestivum tolerating wet ground near water. Bulbs are planted in autumn at about twice their depth and left undisturbed to form clumps. Established plantings need little care and multiply steadily. Crowded clumps can be lifted and divided after flowering as the leaves fade. The bulbs contain toxic alkaloids, so they are generally left alone by rodents and deer.Pruning
No pruning is needed beyond removing spent flower stems if seed is not wanted. The leaves are left to die down naturally after flowering to feed the bulb. Foliage is cleared once it has yellowed.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons
