Plant of the Month: April

Plant of the Month: April

Leucojum aestivum Common name: Summer snowflake Family: Amaryllidaceae Vital statistics Height and spread: 45 - 60cm (18 - 24in) x 7.5cm (3in). Form: Bulbous perennial. Soil:Moist, humus-rich. Aspect: Full sun. Hardiness: Fully hardy to frost hardy.

Leucojum aestivum @ Harlow Carr

Leaving the garden entrance, turn left onto the path at the bottom of the steps. Continue along the path and cross the small bridge towards the Trials area. Leucojum aestivum can be found in the first bed on the right hand side, next to the stream.

We also have Leucojum aestivum in our Scented Garden. Turn right at the bottom of the entrance steps and continue along the path passing the herb garden on your right and the alpine display glasshouses. Turn left at the end of this path and turn right into the Scented Garden, L aestivum can be found in the bed opposite the willow structures.

Leucojum

This is a genus of about 10 species of bulbs, grown for their pendant, bell shaped, white or pink flowers, in autumn or spring. The name comes from the Greek leukos meaning white and ion meaning violet which refers to the slight fragrance. They are native to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

They look similar to and are related to snowdrops, but are better suited than snowdrops to mild and warm climates. They have six tepals (a word used for sepals or petals when they are not easily distinguished) of equal length, often with green tips to the petals, whereas snowdrops have three long and three short tepals.

Leaves are narrow, strap-shaped and come from the base of the plant.

Leucojum aestivum and L. vernum, the larger species, are an attractive addition to a moist border or they can be naturalised in grass. The smaller species are suitable for a rock garden.

Some species prefer a moist, partially shaded site while others like well-drained soil in full sun.

Leucojum aestivum

This species is found in Europe, the Ukraine and Iran. In England it flowers from March to May, though its specific name aestivum means flowering in summer. Linnaeus, who named the plant, lived in central Sweden, where the colder winter climate delayed flowering until summer.

L. aestivum has erect, strap-shaped, glossy, dark-green leaves up to 40cm (16in) long. In spring, up to 8 bell-shaped flowers are produced on leafless stems. The white flowers are 2cm (0.75in) long, have green tips to the tepals and smell slightly of chocolate.

AGM

The RHS Floral A Committee awarded Leucojum aestivum 'Gravetye Giant' an Award of Garden Merit and described it as: Bulbous perennial to 90cm tall, with strap-like, glossy dark green leaves and leafless stems bearing up to 8 bell-shaped white flowers 2cm wide, each segment tipped with green.

Cultivation

Plant dry bulbs 7.5 - 10cm (3 - 4in) deep in autumn in reliably moist, humus-rich soil.

In an alpine house, grow in equal parts of loam, leaf mould and sharp sand.

The plants are susceptible to both slugs and narcissus bulb fly.

Propagation

Remove offsets once the leaves have died down or sow seed containers in a cold frame in autumn.