Summer Snowflake
Leucojum aestivum
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Krym, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Romania, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
Malcolm Gin
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Genus:
- Leucojum
- Species:
- Leucojum aestivum
- USDA Symbol:
- LEAE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moisture-retentive loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wet meadows and riverbanks
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate erratically and may take several months. Fresh seed germinates best; sow in autumn for natural cold stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring.