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Amaryllidaceae
Summer Snowflake
Leucojum aestivum
Hope, purity, consolation.
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Genus
- Leucojum
- Native to
- Central and southern Europe
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- Bulbous perennial
- Height
- 30–60 cm
- Sunlight
- Part shade to full sun
- Soil
- Rich, moist
- Water
- Moderate to high
- Hardiness
- 4–9
- Lifespan
- Very long-lived bulbs
Did you know
- Despite the name 'summer snowflake', it actually blooms in mid- to late spring — the name distinguishes it from the smaller, earlier 'spring snowflake' (Leucojum vernum).
- Each white bell-shaped flower is tipped with a tiny green or yellow dot at the end of every petal, like a perfect little decoration.
- Leucojum is sometimes confused with snowdrops (Galanthus) but is taller, blooms later, and has six equal petals instead of three short and three long ones.
- The flowers smell faintly of chocolate to some people — a surprising delicate scent for such an unassuming bloom.
- Snowflakes thrive in damp ground that would rot most bulbs, making them perfect for stream banks and wet woodland edges.
Color meanings
White
Quiet comfort