Snowflakes look delicate but are Texas tough.
October 9, 2024 - One of the most delightful and resilient spring-flowering bulbs to grace East Texas gardens is the summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum). Despite its misleading common name, this charming perennial blooms in early spring, not summer. Known for its delicate white, bell-shaped flowers adorned with distinctive green dots, summer snowflakes add a touch of elegance and nostalgia to landscapes across the South.
Commonly referred to as snowflakes, snowbells, or dewdrops, this long-lived bulb has been a staple in old gardens and historic homesites for generations. However, it is sometimes confused with true snowdrops (Galanthus) or lily of the valley (Convallaria), neither of which can tolerate our Texas heat and humidity. The summer snowflake, on the other hand, thrives in the South’s demanding climate, earning it a reputation as one of the toughest and most enduring bulbs for our region.
The summer snowflake is a member of the amaryllis family, sharing its hardiness and deer-resistant qualities. It emerges during the late winter months, producing graceful flower stalks that rise above medium-green foliage. As spring approaches, these stalks bear clusters of small, nodding flowers. By late spring, the foliage turns yellow and goes dormant, allowing the bulb to store energy for the next year’s bloom.
In his book Garden Bulbs for the South, Texan horticulturist Scott Ogden praises the summer snowflake, noting that “This one positively thrives in the South, and you could hardly ask for a more appealing spring flower.” Similarly, Chris Wiesinger and Dr. William C. Welch, in their book The Bulb Hunter, describe the summer snowflake as “one of the best bulbs for the entire South.”
Leucojum aestivum is a versatile and adaptable bulb that can be planted in full sun to deciduous shade. It reaches about 12 inches in height and spreads to form a one-foot-wide clump over time. While it prefers well-drained soil, this resilient bulb tolerates a range of soil types, including sandy, silty, and clay soils, and is also quite happy in both acidic and alkaline conditions.
The best time to plant summer snowflakes is from late summer through fall. Though they can be divided any time of year, it is most effective to dig and separate clumps in late spring once the foliage has completely died back. These bulbs are well-suited to low-maintenance gardens, thriving with natural winter moisture and minimal irrigation during the summer months.
One of the great joys of the summer snowflake is its versatility in the landscape. It works beautifully in pockets of color, mixed borders, or as an edging along pathways. It also excels as a groundcover or naturalized planting in lawns, meadows, or prairies. Because it is a cool-season perennial, summer snowflakes pair well with warm-season perennials, providing foliage and blooms when other plants are dormant.
For a striking visual display, consider planting summer snowflakes in large clumps or drifts. They combine effortlessly with other spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils and tulips, adding an extra layer of beauty to the spring garden. Additionally, they can be interplanted with low-growing groundcovers such as Asian jasmine, liriope, or mondo grass for added texture and interest.
One crucial aspect of caring for summer snowflakes is to avoid cutting back the green foliage too soon. The foliage should be allowed to yellow and naturally fall over—typically around Mother’s Day or Memorial Day. Cutting the foliage prematurely can reduce or eliminate next year’s blooms, and repeated cutting can eventually kill the bulbs.
Snowflakes along with many other time-tested bulbs are available from the annual Smith County Master Gardeners’ From Bulbs to Blooms conference and sale with the on-line store opening October 7. To access the store link or for more information, visit the Smith County Master Gardener website at txmg.org/smith/, follow them on Facebook at “Smith County Master Gardeners”, email them at SmithMGHelpDesk@gmail.com, or contact the Smith County Master Gardener Help Desk at (903) 590-2994.
Greg Grant is the Smith County horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. He is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Texas Home Landscaping, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, read his “In Greg’s Garden” in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu.
