Glory-of-the-Snow, Chionodoxa forbesii

Overview

Chionodoxa forbesii blooming in spring. — *Chionodoxa forbesii* blooming in spring.

Chionodoxa forbesii is commonly called Glory-of-the-Snow because it blooms so early that its flowers sometimes poke out of the snow. The genus name is derived from the Greek words chion, meaning “snow” and doxa meaning “glory.” This small bulb, native to western Turkey, is closely related to (and sometimes included in) the genus Scilla. Like scilla, it can spread and naturalize under the right conditions and is hardy in zones 3a to 8b.

Glory-of-the-snow normally has blue flowers with a white center.

The small, star-shaped, upward-facing flowers are lavender-blue with a white center, making them appear almost glassy or translucent. The flowers have six petals that spread nearly flat and are ½ to ¾ inch wide. Each bulb produces a raceme of 5 to 10 flowers on brownish stems. The flowers sprays can be cut for tiny bouquets. The clumps of mid-green, strap-like leaves die back in the summer. The plants grow to about 6 inches tall.

The cultivar Pink Giant has pale pink flowers. — The cultivar ‘Pink Giant’ has pale pink flowers.

Landscape Use of Glory-of-the-Snow

Plant Chionodoxa in the fall, locating them in full to partial sun in well-drained soil. They can be planted under deciduous trees as the bulbs will finish blooming before the trees leaf out. Place the bulbs about 3″ apart and 2 to 4 inches deep.

Chionodoxa easily naturalizes. — *Chionodoxa* easily naturalizes.

These small bulbs are good in perennial beds or for naturalizing in rock gardens or woodlands and combine well with daffodils, grape hyacinth, crocus and other small spring bulbs. They can also be naturalized in a lawn, as long as mowing is postponed until the foliage begins to die back (about 5 to 6 weeks) or if the mower blade is set high enough to avoid removing too much of the small leaves. They are unaffected by juglone, so can be planted under walnut trees. Although they are short because they are up and blooming so early in the spring (before many other perennials are very advanced in their growth), they do not have to be restricted to just the front of a border. They can be used around hostas as they flower well before the hosta leaves unfurl.

Cultivars of Glory-of-the-Snow

In addition to the blue-flowered species, there are a few other selections available. Varieties are sometimes offered under C. luciliae or C. gigantea. Both these names are now considered to be synonyms for the related Scilla lucilliae. Commonly available cultivars include:

‘Alba’ is a white flowered selection of Scilla luciliae (sometimes listed as C. luciliae).
‘Blue Giant’ has larger flowers and flower clusters than the species. Grows 4 to 8 inches tall.
‘Pink Giant’ has lavender-pink flowers with white centers. This variety is possibly a hybrid with Scilla luciliae.
‘Violet Beauty’ is a violet flowered form of Scilla luciliae.

Propagating Glory-of-the-Snow

Chionodoxa can be naturalized in a lawn. — *Chionodoxa* can be naturalized in a lawn.

Chionodoxa can be propagated by dividing the bulb offsets or from seed. Plants also self sow readily under ideal conditions. To collect seeds, allow pods to dry on the plant, then break open pods to collect the seed. Collected seed can be direct sown outdoors in fall. If sown indoors, seeds require cold stratification to germinate.

Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin—Madison
Reviewers: Allen R. Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW—Madison Extension
Revised: July 2026