Leucojum autumnale – Autumn Snowflake – Snowflake –

Description

Leucojum – Snowflake – There are about 10 species of mainly spring or autumn flowering bulbous perennials in this genus. They occur in a variety of habitats including woodland, shaded hillsides, wet sites, dunes, rocky grassland, and scrub, from Western Europe to the Middle East and Northern Africa. They are similar to snowdrops (Galanthus), with usually 1 or 2, occasionally up to 8 flowers per stem, but the nodding or pendent, bell shaped, usually white, sometime pink flowers have 6 equal petals on thin stems growing up to 24″ tall. Leaves are mid to deep green and basal and strap shaped to linear, or occasionally cylindrical. Small species are suitable for a rock garden, or bulb frame, while larger species are excellent in a border, near water, or naturalized in grass. Plant bulb 3-4″ deep in autumn. Grow in any moist but well drained soil in full sun. Prone to slugs, and narcissus bulb fly. L. autumnale – Autumn Snowflake – This slender, bulbous perennial from Southwestern Europe and Northern Africa grows 4-6″ tall. It produces erect, narrow, grass like leaves, to 6″ long, borne with or just after the flowers. In late summer and early autumn, each bulb bears up to 4 leafless stems, each with delicate 2 or 3 bell shaped white flowers, ½” long, with red tinged bases. Prefers sunny position. Zones 5-9