Chionodoxa luciliae Rosy Queen

Chionodoxa luciliae 'Rosy Queen' is a selection of the Glory of the Snow with pink flowers, a small bulb that blooms in early spring. Chionodoxa is very hardy and can tolerate any light soil that is not too dry. It spontaneously multiplies under trees and at the base of bushes, forming large carpets over time. It also makes beautiful spring planters alongside primroses or pansies.

Chionodoxa luciliae 'Rosy Queen' is a horticultural selection. The species, known as Glory of the Snow, is native to the mountains of southern Turkey, Crete, and Cyprus. This small perennial bulb from the asparagus family is a close relative of hyacinths. The 'Rosy Queen' variety forms small tufts of 15 cm high when in bloom, spreading indefinitely thanks to the production of numerous bulblets, eventually forming large colonies. The plant flowers between February and April, depending on the climate. It produces small star-shaped, 3 cm in diameter, light pink flowers with a white centre filled with yellow stamens. Each bulb produces several reddish stems carrying 3 to 6 small flowers. Its medium-green foliage is ribbon-like, sword-shaped, tinged with purple at its tip. It emerges from the ground in spring and disappears a few weeks after flowering.

Chionodoxa luciliae 'Rosy Queen' is easy to grow and requires no maintenance in cool or mountainous climates, making it a very hardy plant that is welcome after winter. Mix this pink variety with the classic blue form (Chionodoxa luciliae) and its white form 'Alba'. They will spread out as flowering carpets alongside the Siberian squill, snowdrops, and grape hyacinths. Plant the bulbs in small groups in sunny rockeries that are not too dry. They can also be planted under deciduous trees and bushes, in partial shade, for example in a carpet of Corsican creeper. Chionodoxas are also very interesting for use in pots.