Scilla Species, Chionodoxa, Glory of the Snow

Scillaforbesii

Genus
Scilla (SIL-uh)
Species
forbesii (FORBZ-ee-eye)
Synonym
Chionodoxa forbesii
Chionodoxa luciliae var. forbesii
Chionodoxa siehei
Scilla siehei
Scilla tmolusi
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
Spacing
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Pink
Dark Blue
Blue-Violet
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Bulbs
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Dark/Black
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Juneau, Alaska

Merced, California

Oak View, California

Clifton, Colorado

Winnetka, Illinois

Hebron, Kentucky

Durham, Maine

Arlington, Massachusetts

Brookline, Massachusetts

Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Pinconning, Michigan

Romeo, Michigan

Royal Oak, Michigan

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Florence, Mississippi

Piedmont, Missouri

Bridgewater, New Jersey

Neptune, New Jersey

Hilton, New York

Marcellus, New York

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Bucyrus, Ohio

Painesville, Ohio

MOUNT HOOD PARKDALE, Oregon

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Coopersburg, Pennsylvania

Upper Darby, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

Salt Lake City, Utah

Sequim, Washington

Stanwood, Washington

Madison, Wisconsin

Kinnear, Wyoming

Riverton, Wyoming

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Gardener's Notes:

5
positives
2
neutrals
1
negative
Sort By:
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S
Aurora, ON (Zone 5b) | April 2009 | negative

A very aggressive seeder in our area. Seems to take about two years to go from seed to a small bulb that flowers.
Chionodoxa luci...Read More

L
Bridgewater, NJ | April 2008 | positive

A very pretty periwinkle flower that blooms after crocus and dwarf iris.

S
White Lake, ON (Zone 4b) | December 2006 | positive

Chinodoxa luciliae is a clearer blue and a little more compact than Chinodoxa forbesii. Both lovely, especially in mass plantings on a h...Read More

M
Hebron, KY | November 2006 | positive

Beautiful blue flowers in Spring that are a welcomed sight to see every year! I love this flower and it goes to seed and makes a small c...Read More

V
V
Fenton, MO (Zone 6a) | March 2004 | positive

These are absolutely beautiful, a periwinkle color that catches your eye in the spring. Mine have been in the ground for 3 years and have...Read More

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | April 2003 | positive

This Chionodoxa has a white throat, the petals are sky blue with white margins. Does not self-sow quite as freely as some other species....Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral

Among the first bulbs to bloom in the spring. Each bulb produces 2-3 narrow, basal leaves and a flower stalk which has several lilac-blue...Read More

K
Dallas, TX (Zone 8a) | August 2001 | neutral

Water well while growing, less when dormant. Best in cooler climates. Nematodes may ruin bulbs; chipmunks and mice may eat bulbs. Do not ...Read More

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