Chionodoxa: planting and care in the open field, description of varieties and species with photos

Chionodoxa is a winter-hardy perennial plant that, with proper planting and care, blooms outdoors. It began to be cultivated since the 18th century, gradually scientists brought out many species and varieties, with different colors, shoot lengths and density of inflorescences. Many cultivars are popular with growers and start flowering in the middle of the scale when many crops begin to set foliage.

Description and features

Perennial bulbous plant, stems reach a height of 10 - 12 cm, in rare cases grow up to 15 cm. Winter-hardy flowers, one of the first to produce flowers.Inflorescences solitary, have 5-6 petals. The color is blue, light purple, blue, pink, white, depending on the variety and species. After flowering, it forms seed pods. Bulbs oblong ovoid, covered with scales. The roots fall off after one year of flowering, and the bulbs sprout 2 years in a row.

Landing

Planting plays an important role in the further flowering of the plant. You need to know the timing, favorite places of chionodox, the correctness of the planting process, and the proximity to other plants.

Timing

Since the plant begins to bloom when the snow has not yet completely gone, the planting of the bulbs is carried out in the fall. During this period, the bulbs are gaining strength in order to give strong flower stalks in the spring.

Select site

Chionodoxa prefers well-lit areas or those in partial shade. It is not recommended to plant bulbs in full shade, they will sprout, but there will be no flowering. Suitable places under trees with spreading leaves that open buds at the end of flowering plants.

Important! When growing chionodoxa in a sunny area, flowering occurs several days earlier than in the shade.

How to plant

The soil should be loose and nutritious, well drained. Holes are made in the selected area, the distance between them is 10 cm. An onion is deepened into each hole. The larger the bulb, the deeper it is immersed. The smallest ones are added dropwise by 4-6 cm, and the largest by 6-8 cm. After planting, nitrogenous fertilizers are applied. Also, forest soil is scattered near the planting, it has a positive effect on the development of chionodoxa.

Neighbours

Snowdrops, flowers that bloom in early spring, are suitable for co-cultivation with chionodoxa. Chionodox are planted next to shrubs and under trees that have sparse foliage and create medium shade. The best neighbors are:

• primrose;
• hyacinth;
• crocus;
• iris;
• Adonis;
• Pushkinii;
• Hellebore.

Care

For successful flowering and development of the plant, it is necessary to observe proper watering, loosen and weed the soil, periodically transplant, mulch, fertilize.

Irrigation

During the period of drought, plants need frequent watering. It is important that the soil at the base of the roots does not dry out. When watering, water is poured under the leaves so that drops of water do not fall on them. For irrigation, pre-settled or rain water is used.

Loosening and weeding

For improved aeration of the soil and nutrition of the bulbs, loosening of the soil around the plant is periodically carried out. Together with loosening, all weeds are removed, which impoverish the soil and impair the flowering of chionodox. Loosening is carried out after each watering and rain.

Mulching

Mulching is carried out for the winter, the root area of the flowers is covered with spruce needles or forest moss. This provides additional protection against the harsh winter frosts. If you leave shelter for the growing season, then this will ensure the safety of moisture at the roots.

Transfer

For transplanting, at the end of July, they dig up flowers along with the bulb. By this time, the plant has completely faded, the foliage begins to dry and fall. The bulbs are dug up and left until autumn in a cool dark place. Before the next planting, the babies are separated from the mother specimens.

Feeding

Mineral complexes with nitrogen content are used for top dressing. They are distributed in a thin layer at the roots. So chionodoxa absorbs nutrients faster.

Wintering

The plant is winter-hardy and tolerates any frost well. However, it is recommended to cover chionodox after planting with moss or spruce needles.

Reproduction

Reproduction is carried out by vegetative method, seed method and forcing.

Vegetative

After flowering, the plant forms bulbous lobes, which can be separated and receive two independent flowers. After digging, the bulbs are left in a cool place, and before planting they are divided according to the line of shares. After they drop off according to all the rules.

Seed

For seed propagation, you need to collect seeds from the shoots in time. If you miss the moment, the boxes burst, and the seeds are scattered on the ground. They attract the attention of ants, who carry them around the site. Seeds are collected and seedlings are prepared at home, later the plants are transferred to the ground.

Important! Chionodoxa, grown from seeds, begins to flower in the second year of the growing season.

Forcing

Bulbs are planted in a pot in autumn and placed in a cool place. After 2 months, they take it out to a warm place and begin to water it. After some time, the plant will sprout and begin to bloom. After the end of flowering, the bulb is removed for storage, and planted again the next season.

Diseases and pests

Chionodoxes are resistant to diseases, however, with increased soil flooding, they are exposed to diseases and pests.

Grey Rot

It is formed with high soil moisture. The bulbs are starting to rot. The plant blooms and develops poorly, the leaves turn yellow and dry.

Fusariosis

The disease is caused by a microscopic fungus. It appears as dark spots on the leaves of chionodox. They gradually turn black, dry and fall off. Infection slowly spreads to neighboring shoots and flowers. At the advanced stage, it also affects the bulbous part.

Septoria

Microscopically a fungus that forms dark spots with a red rim on the leaves. A light spot is formed inside the spot, 20 - 25 of them are formed on one sheet.

Leaves turn yellow and dry, this disease affects the quality of flowering plants.

Sclerotinia

Microscopic fungus, mainly affects adult plants. Watery spots form at the base of the stem, gradually they grow and the stem rots, capturing the lower leaves and roots.

Meadow tick larvae

Insect lays larvae in the soil, which feed on the roots of plants located in the soil. In hionodoxa, the larvae infect the bulbs, they eat them from the inside, after which they become unsuitable for subsequent planting.

Mice and moles

Rodents that live in the soil and feed on bulbous plants. It's hard to fight them. To get rid of them, rodent traps with poison are installed on the site.

Important! To prevent the occurrence of diseases and insect attacks, it is recommended to treat with chemicals at the beginning of the growing season.

Views

Chionodoxes have several main types. Some of them began to be cultivated as early as the 18th century. Later, as a result of the work of breeders, many species and varieties appeared.

Forbes

Gives the highest shoots that reach up to 25 cm. It blooms with soft blue flowers, with a light core. One inflorescence has 3-4 flowers. Each of them consists of 5 petals.

Lucilia

The second name of Giant Chionodox. Forms high peduncles up to 20 cm. On the shoots are flowers collected in inflorescences of 2-3 pieces. They are white, naked, pink or purple in color. This is the very first species that they began to grow on their own plots.

Sardinian

Flowering begins at the end of March. The bulbs are brown in color, gives bright blue numerous flowers, about 20 mm in diameter. Shoots reach 12 cm in height. About 10 flowers bloom on one plant.

Dwarf

Flowering falls in April or May. Of all the representatives, it gives the shortest shoots, which are up to 11 cm in height. At the top there are inflorescences of 2 - 3 flowers, with a color from pale blue to pale pink.

Whitish

The bulb is medium in size, covered with a brown peel. The shoots are low, about 12 cm, the flowers are small. 1 cm in diameter, white or pink color. The leaves are straight, dark green. Inflorescences solitary.

Mistress Lok

A little-studied species, shoots are low, about 12 cm. At the top are blue or purple flowers, collected in inflorescences of 7 - 8 pieces. Flowers 2 cm in diameter.

Popular varieties

The most popular plant varieties are used by gardeners from different regions. They delight the eye with their bright colors at the very beginning of spring, when many cultures are just beginning to wake up.

Alba

The variety belongs to the Lucilia variety. The plant is not whimsical in the choice of soil. Perfectly takes root and grows on any soil. The height of the shoot is 14 cm, blooms with white flowers with a yellow core.

Blue Giant

Flowering falls in May and lasts 2 weeks. Shoots reach 15 cm, dense inflorescences, consist of 8 - 10 blue flowers. The core is white, the flowers are small.

Pink Giant

The flowers are pale pink. Shoots 15 cm high, flowing green. In inflorescences collected 3 - 4 flowers. The core is light. Flowering occurs in May or early June.

White

Shoot height up to 12 cm, flowering begins in late spring. At the top are white large flowers. Shoots are located tightly next to each other. The bulbs are brown, covered with scales.

Pink

Perennial plant forms pale pink flowers, with a light middle. The flowers are large, up to 35 mm in diameter. Peduncles of medium length from 10 to 12 cm.

Queen

Perennial produces large pale pink flowers with yellow stamens. The leaves are located closer to the ground, have a brown - green color. The flowers are densely arranged. In one inflorescence collected 5 - 6 flowers.

Watercolor

Belongs to the species Sardinian. The flowers are collected in dense fluffy inflorescences, the flowers are blue, star-shaped, shoots up to 10 cm high. The middle of the flowers is white.

Artemis

Belongs to the type of Sardinian chionodoxa, shoots are low up to 10 cm. Flowering begins in mid-spring, the flowers are small blue, 5-6 flowers are collected on one inflorescence.

Absolute

Bulbous plant with medium shoots about 12 cm, flowers are bright, blue, with a light core. Flowering lasts more than two weeks. Well take root in shady places.

Atlantis

Refers to the Sardinian plant species. The bulbs produce shoots 10 - 12 cm long, the flowers are light blue, almost white, with yellow stamens in the center. Inflorescences are lush.

Arctic

Hionodoxa hybrid of the Sardinian species, grows in any soil, unpretentious in care. Shoots 9 - 12 cm high, white star-shaped flowers are formed at the top, collected in lush inflorescences.

Violet Beauty

Short perennial plant. Forms flowers in the form of bells of bright purple color with a light middle. Flowers are large, up to 4 cm in diameter. Prefers planting in places with changeable lighting.

Mixture

Flowering occurs in May and June. A low-growing plant, shoots 13 cm long. A feature of the variety is the presence of flowers of different colors on one plant: blue, purple, pink, lilac.

Blue White

Belongs to the Forbes species, gives high shoots up to 25 cm, large blue flowers with a white center are located at the top.

Leaves are green with a brown tint, located near the ground.

Landscape use

Many flower growers use chionodoxes in landscape design. I use them for multi-stage design, planted at the lowest level, next to evergreen shrubs and other flowering plants.Flowers decorate trees and shrubs in early spring, when foliage has not yet formed on them. They also form beds with chionodox next to curbs or large stones. Combines well with other bulbous plant species.

Reviews

Valentina, 65 years old, city of Novorossiysk

Chionodoxes are one of my favorite colors. I like unpretentious care and early flowering. While all the crops in the garden are just about to form foliage, chionodox pleases the eye with its bright colors. I plant Blue White and Pink Giant.

I plant a bulb of each type through one. In spring, a combination of pink and blue flowers is obtained.

Arkady 45 years old, city of Perm

I have been doing floriculture for a long time, one of my favorite activities. I have been planting chionodoxes since autumn, their wife and daughters love them very much. I use varieties Alba, Atlantis, Arctic.The plant easily tolerates frost and does not require special care. In the spring I spend top dressing with nitrogen fertilizers. In mid-July, I dig the bulbs for storage. These varieties are especially liked for their flowering.

Alena, 30 years old, city of Tver

My favorite chionodox varieties are Violet Beauty and Queen, I also plant Absolute and Mix. I chose a place for the bulbs next to the roses. While the shrubs are gaining green mass, chionodoxes delight with their bright multi-colored flowers. They are not whimsical in care, I leave the bulbs in the ground for the winter, I do not cover them with anything. After flowering, approximately in the middle of summer, the plants are dug up, and the bulbs are left in the cellar until spring.

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