Leucojum vernum

RHS Plant Profile
spring snowflake

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spring snowflake visionspictures.com
spring snowflake visionspictures.com

Other common names

Agnes flower, spring-flowered snowflake

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Bulbs
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A bulbous perennial to 30cm in height, with strap-shaped glossy dark green leaves and erect stems with 1 or 2 broadly bell-shaped, green-tipped white flowers 2.5cm in width

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Potentially harmful
Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Leucojum are bulbous perennials with narrowly strap-shaped leaves and umbels of bell-shaped white, rarely pink flowers, each tepal often tipped with green
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
C & E Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant dry bulbs, 8 to 10cm deep, in autumn, in any moderately fertile, humus-rich, reliably moist soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in autumn, in containers in a cold frame or separate offsets after the leaves have died down. If clumps become too large, divide in early summer after the leaves have turned yellow, and replant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and narcissus bulb fly

Diseases

Generally disease-free