How to Grow and Care for Glory of the Snow

Glory of the snow is a bulb perennial known for making an early appearance in the spring, sometimes even before the last bit of snow has melted.

These plants are easy-keepers and do well in full or partial sun, with moist but well-draining soil.

Glory of the Snow Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing glory of the snow.

• Plant in well-draining soil.

• Choose a spot that receives bright, direct sun for most of the day.

• Water regularly but avoid oversaturating the soil.

• Fertilize if desired in the early spring using a balanced formula.

Light

Glory of the snow grows best in full sun conditions but you can also plant it in locations that receive partial sun.

For healthy growth and flowering, the plant should receive at least four to six hours of direct sun.

Soil

A range of soil conditions are suitable for glory of the snow, including loamy and clay soil types. The soil should be moist but have sufficient drainage to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged. A neutral to slightly acidic soil pH level is best.

Water

Glory of the snow prefers moist soil conditions but is drought-tolerant once established. If rainfall is received regularly, you may not need to water the plant regularly. Beware of overly saturating the soil, which can cause the bulb to rot.

Temperature and Humidity

This cold-hardy perennial does best in seasonal climates that experience a period of cooler temperatures, which is essential for the bulb’s dormancy period. In regions with warmer temperatures and higher humidity levels, a garden location that shields the plant from the most intense afternoon sun is more beneficial.

Fertilizer

While fertilizer isn’t always necessary for healthy growth and flowering, you can support the plant with a flower fertilizer if desired in the later winter or early spring. Apply a well-balanced formula, like 10-10-10, to the plant’s early growth—making sure to do so before the plant blooms.

Types of Glory of the Snow

• Chionodoxa lucilae ‘Pink Giant’: As the cultivar name suggests, this variety features pink blossoms and grows taller than other types of glory of the snow, reaching a height of 6 inches.

• Chionodoxa lucilae ‘Alba’: Many glory of the snow plants have blue petals that fade to white towards the center of the blossom, but this cultivar is known for its pure white petals.

• Chionodoxa lucilae 'Gigantea’: This glory of the snow variety stands out for its larger-than-usual blue flowers, which measure about two inches in diameter.

Propagating Glory of the Snow

Glory of the snow plants produce offset bulbs, so propagation by division is the most common way to thin a large stand of the plants or to relocate new specimens to other areas of your garden or landscape.

It’s best to propagate in the fall, so the newly planted bulb can enter dormancy over the winter before generating new growth the following spring. Here’s how you can propagate glory of the snow:

1. Use a trowel to gently dig around the plant to be divided. Lift it from the soil and brush off the excess dirt so you can clearly identify the main bulb and the offsets.

2. Grasp the offset bulbs and break them loose from the main bulb.

3. Dig a hole 3 to 4 inches deep and place the bulb in the hole, with the pointed end downward. Cover the hole with dirt. Note: If you’re planting multiple bulbs, separate each hole by about 4 inches.

4. Water the bulb thoroughly.

How to Get Glory of the Snow to Bloom

Glory of the snow is likely to be one of the earliest plants to bloom in your garden, flowering from February to March or April, depending on climate conditions. This makes the plant a popular pick for gardeners seeking an attractive spring perennial.

What Do Glory of the Snow Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Glory of the snow flowers are about an inch in diameter and come in shades of light blue, white, or pink, with six tepals surrounding a white center. Each short brown flower stalk supports two or three blooms.

Aesthetic appeal is the only reason to plant glory of the snow, since the flowers themselves have no fragrance.

Common Problems With Glory of the Snow

The good news is that glory of the snow is typically very easy to care for, with few problems from pests or diseases.

However, too much or too little moisture can cause problems, which will primarily show up in the appearance of the plant’s foliage.

Wilting leaves or stems

If the upright flower stems or grass-like foliage at the base of the plant begin to wilt, it’s a likely sign of overwatering.

Although glory of the snow prefers moist soil conditions, too much water or excessive humidity can cause the bulb to rot, leading to wilting leaves and stems. To remedy the situation, withhold water or take steps to improve drainage by amending the soil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you transplant glory of the snow?

You can easily transplant glory of the snow to a new location by digging up the bulb and relocating the plant. Provide enough spacing to allow the plant to flourish, usually arranging for at least 4 inches of clearance around the hole you dig for the bulb.

Does glory of the snow multiply?

Glory of the snow will multiply by means of bulb offsets and self-seeding, causing the plant to naturalize in your yard or garden. If you don’t want glory of the snow to multiply, you can deadhead the spent blooms to prevent self-seeding and periodically thin out the patch of flowers by removing bulb offsets.

How long does glory of the snow last?

You can expect glory of the snow blossoms to last for up to three weeks before beginning to fade. The plant’s foliage will begin to yellow after the flowers fade and usually die back within a few weeks.

Read the original article on The Spruce.