Friday, October 3, 2025

Scilla luciliae (Glory-of-the-Snow)

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Grow Guide: Scilla luciliae (Glory-of-the-Snow)

🌸 Botanical Name: Scilla luciliae (formerly Chionodoxa luciliae)
🌍 Common Name: Glory-of-the-Snow


🌼 Flowering Time

  • Months: February – April
  • Details: One of the earliest spring-flowering bulbs, often appearing through the last frost.

🌱 Soil Type

  • Well-drained, humus-rich soil
  • Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline conditions but tolerates slightly acidic soils
  • Avoid waterlogged areas

❄️ Hardiness

  • USDA Zones: 3–8
  • UK Hardiness: H5 (hardy in most parts of the UK)
  • Fully frost hardy and naturalizes well

☀️ Position & Light Requirements

  • Sun: Full sun to partial shade
  • Best Locations: Under deciduous trees, borders, rock gardens, and lawns
  • Tolerates light shade but flowers best in brighter spots

🌿 Planting & Care

Planting Time: Autumn (September – November)
Depth: 5–8cm (2–3 inches) deep
Spacing: 5–10cm apart
Watering: Minimal; only during dry periods in the first year
Feeding: Not necessary but benefits from a light mulch of compost in autumn


🌱 Propagation

1️⃣ By Bulb Offsets:

  • Scilla luciliae naturally multiplies by producing small offsets around the main bulb.
  • Best lifted and divided in late summer when dormant.
  • Carefully separate offsets and replant immediately at the same depth.

2️⃣ By Seed:

  • Seeds can be collected after flowering and sown in autumn.
  • Sow directly into well-drained soil or pots with a free-draining seed mix.
  • Germination may take a year or more, and plants may take 3–5 years to flower.

🌿 Additional Tips

  • Naturalizes well – multiplies each year, creating a stunning carpet of flowers.
  • Low maintenance – no deadheading needed; leaves should die back naturally.
  • Perfect companion for crocuses, snowdrops, and early daffodils.

Local Gardener
TEL : 07984 112537, info@localgardener.org, 124 City Rd, London EC1V 2NX

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