Chionodoxa (genus, glory-of-the-snow)

Japanese name: チオノドクサ
Scientific name: Chionodoxa

[Overview]
A small bulbous perennial about 15 cm tall.
It has a small underground bulb.
The leaves are linear, and 2 to several grow from the base.
A short raceme bears several flowers.
The flowers have 6 petals, open almost flat, and the petals curve back outward.
Flower colors are white, pink, blue, purple and others.
The fruit is a capsule.
Before summer the above-ground parts die back and the plant enters dormancy.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by dividing bulbs or from seed.
It dislikes heat, so in warm regions the plants weaken within a few years.
In cold regions it also multiplies readily by self-sown seed.
The bulbs dislike dryness, so even after the plant enters dormancy, leave them as they are without digging them up.
It prefers fertile, well-drained soil.
Grow it where it is sunny from winter through the flowering period, and in bright shade after that.
For plants in the ground, under deciduous trees is good.
It prefers soil that is rich in organic matter and well drained.
For potted plants, water thoroughly from sprouting through the period when leaves are present, and no watering is needed after the leaves fall.
For plants in the ground, no watering is particularly needed.
No fertilizer is particularly needed.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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