Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Liliaceae
Botanical Name
Leucojum autumnale
Plant Common Name
Fall Snowflake
General Description
Fall snowflake is grown for its late summer to fall display of petite white bell-shaped flowers on erect stems. A herbaceous perennial from the western Mediterranean, it grows from small bulbs that eventually form a clump. Some taxonomists place the fall-flowering leucojums in a separate genus, Acis.
The grass-like leaves of this hardy bulb break ground in fall and persist until spring. From late summer into fall, each bulb produces as many as four wiry, leafless, green to purple stems topped by two to four nodding, bell-shaped, white flowers. The blooms may have pinkish undertones.
Grow fall snowflake in a well-drained, preferably humus-rich soil in full to partial sun. Use fall snowflake in rock gardens or in the foreground of a mixed border. Alpine troughs and other containers filled with Mediterranean plants also work well. Cultivar 'September Snow' produces pure white flowers.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
4"-8" / 10.2cm - 20.3cm
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Width
2"-4" / 5.1cm - 10.2cm
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Bloom Time
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
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Native To
Southern Europe, Western Europe, Mediterranean, Northern Africa
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Light Pink
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Gray Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
