James H. Schutte
Family
Liliaceae
Botanical Name
Leucojum
Plant Common Name
Leucojum
General Description
The elegant, white, nodding bell-flowers of these perennial bulbs mark both the beginning and the end of the gardening season. The most familiar – Leucojum vernum and L. aestivum – are cold-hardy, relatively large, early-season plants, with white, green-tipped, lantern-shaped flowers atop stout stems in late winter or spring. Native to moist, often shady habitats over much of Europe (with L. aestivum also occurring in western Asia), they have strap-shaped leaves resembling those of daffodils. Other leucojums are slighter, less cold-hardy plants with more southerly and restricted ranges. They have narrow, filament-like leaves and stems, and small, white to pale pink, funnel-shaped flowers. These leucojums are native to sunny habitats with well-drained soil. Several – including L. autumnale – bloom in late summer and fall. The narrow-leaved leucojums are sometimes placed in their own genus, Acis.
L. vernum and L. aestivum do best in full to partial sun and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Plant clumps of L. vernum in a partially shaded border or woodland, where its charming late-winter flowers will herald the approach of spring. L. aestivum is perfect for grouping along waterways and woodland edges, its dangling bells providing a lovely garden vignette in mid-spring. With the exception of L. autumnale, which is suitable for clustering in the open garden, the narrow-leaved leucojums do and look best in sunny rock gardens, troughs, alpine houses, and other garden niches that offer sharp drainage and ample light.
Characteristics
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
3"-36" / 7.6cm - 91.4cm
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Winter, Late Winter
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Native To
Europe, Mediterranean, Northern Africa, Western Asia
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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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
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
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 (Summer)
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
No
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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
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Alpine, Container, Cutflower, Lawns and Turf, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
Yes
