Plant of the month: March

Chionodoxa forbesii @ Hyde Hall

RHS Garden Hyde Hall has always been known for its collection of roses and in particular its Old Garden and Shrub roses. The Shrub Rose Border contains a wide collection of Rugosa, Damask and Moss types amongst others, all of which flower in early June. Before this time the border can look a little quiet, so to extend the season of interest, a varied collection of bulbs has been established beneath the roses to provide a carpet of colour during the spring. The display begins in February with Chionodoxa forbesii, which has gradually naturalised around a silver birch to create a wonderful carpet of blue, the silver bark of the birch serving to highlight the rich colour of the flowers.

Chionodoxa

This genus contains six species of small, bulbous perennials from Crete, West Turkey and Cyprus where they grow in forests and on mountains, and bloom in early summer as the last snows melt.

Racemes of star-shaped flowers appear above linear, mid-green, basal leaves. In milder climates, they bloom earlier than in their native habitats, in early spring.

This appealing plant can be grown in rock gardens, raised beds or troughs, or under shrubs or trees where they can spread. They self-seed freely.

The name is derived from the Greek words chion, meaning snow and doxa meaning glory.

Chionodoxa forbesii syn. C. luciliae of gardens

This bulbous perennial from West Turkey has attractive, star-shaped blue flowers, 1-2cm (0.5-0.75in) across, with white centres. The flowers appear in early spring in racemes of 4-12 flowerheads.

The mid-green, linear leaves are erect to spreading and 7-28cm (3-11in) long.

‘Pink Giant’ has pale pink flowers with white centres, 1.5cm (0.5in) across.

Cultivation

Plant bulbs 8cm (3in) deep in autumn in any well-drained, gritty soil in full sun.

Chionodoxa forbesii is generally free from pests and diseases.

Propagation

Sow seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Remove offsets in summer.