Chionodoxa forbesii Blue Giant

Chionodoxa forbesii Blue Giant is slightly larger than other Glory of the Snow varieties. Like them, it blooms early in spring, with star-shaped flowers in a beautiful sky blue color with a white centre, emerging from slightly darker green foliage than other varieties. This small bulbous plant can be described as having a good character, simplicity, and freshness. It easily naturalises under trees, at the base of bushes, or even in containers, eventually forming abundant colonies over time. Stunning among daffodils and botanical tulips!

Endemic to the mountains of southwestern Turkey, at altitudes above 2500m (8202ft), this small perennial bulbous plant belongs to the hyacinth family and is a close relative of hyacinths. The Chionodoxa forbesii Blue Giant, sometimes called Chionodoxa luciliae hort., is a slightly larger and less common form of this plant, typically blooming in azure blue. It forms small clumps of 20 cm (8in) in height when in bloom, spreading indefinitely thanks to the production of numerous bulblets, eventually forming beautiful shining carpets. In February-March-April, depending on the climate, its delicate sky blue stars with white markings at the centre celebrate the departure of the last snow for two weeks. From a bulb, sometimes several purplish stems bearing 3 to 10 small flowers will emerge. Its foliage is ribbon-like, dark green, sometimes tinged with purple at the tips, deciduous from May-June.

Chionodoxa was once a very popular plant, somewhat neglected in recent years. However, it is a flawless plant, easy to grow in cool or alpine climates, very hardy, and a welcome sight after winter. Its bright flowers spread out in flowering carpets alongside liverworts, hyacinths, squills, and botanical tulips. It will naturalise in sunny rockeries, but also under deciduous trees and shrubs, in partial shade. It is advisable to plant it close to the edges, due to its low height, as this plant can successfully emerge through a carpet of baby's tears, creating a very successful combination. Chionodoxas are also very interesting for use in pots.