Acis nicaeensis

RHS Plant Profile
French snowflake

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French snowflake RHS

Synonyms

Leucojum nicaeense

Bulbs
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A dwarf bulbous perennial to 10cm tall, with narrow, curled leaves and stems with 1-2 nodding white bell-shaped flowers 1cm long in early spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Acis are dainty bulbous perennials with linear leaves and nodding, bell-shaped, pure white or occasionally pink flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SE France

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant dry bulbs 8-10cm (3-4in) deep in autumn. Grow in preferably alkaline, moist but well-drained soil in full sun with shelter. In colder areas best grown under glass in containers in equal parts loam, leaf mould and sharp sand

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn or remove offsets once the leaves have died down

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and narcissus bulb fly

Diseases

Generally disease-free