Plant of the month: February

Leucojum vernum @ Harlow Carr

Out of the gardens entrance turn right and follow the main path until you come to a beech hedge on your left. On the other side of the hedge is path leading down a slope into the gardens. Follow this path until you come to a junction. Turn right and continue for a short while (40-50ft/12-15m) to another junction. Take the left fork and you should see on your left a large clump of hellebores. The Leucojum is growing among the hellebores.

Leucojum

This is a genus of about ten 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 vernum

This species is found on shady hillsides and woodlands of the higher parts of central Europe.

They are excellent plants in a border, near water or naturalised in grass.

The leaves are narrow, erect, strap-shaped, glossy, dark-green and up to 25cm (10in) long.

Vernum means of the spring, and it is in early spring that one, or sometimes two, flared, bell-shaped flowers, which are white with green tips and 3cm (1.25in) across, are produced on leafless stems.

L. vernum var. carpathicum has yellow tipped tepals.

L. vernum var. vagneri flowers in late winter and early spring, has 2 flowers per stem and is 20cm (8in) tall.

AGM

The RHS Rock Garden Plant Trials Subcommittee awarded Leucojum vernum an Award of Garden Merit and described it as: Compact bulbous perennial to 30cm tall, with strap-shaped, glossy, dark green leaves and erect stems with one or two broadly bell-shaped, green-tipped white flowers 2.5cm wide.

Cultivation

Plant dry bulbs 8-10cm (3-4in) deep in autumn in reliably moist, humus-rich soil.

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

Leucojum vernum is prone to slugs and narcissus bulb fly.

Propagation

Sow seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or remove offsets once the leaves have died down.