PKA Chionodoxa sardensis
Common names: Lesser glory-of-the-snow or squill (from Sart*)
Any mention of these beautiful little bulbs immediately brings to mind a passage in Beverley Nichols’ book ‘Down the Garden Path’ (how very dated it reads now) in which he catalogues the planting of (and waiting for the appearance of) an ‘avalanche’ of chionodoxa down his rock garden. As he says, his diary is full of impatient entries about it. Don’t we all know that feeling, followed by the wild excitement when our little treasures display their first green shoots? I even exchange ‘No sign of chionodoxa’ messages with a very good gardening friend in Cumbria, and of course being further south, mine are always out first!
In order to ensure that we can enjoy every single flower, I decided to plant my bulbs in a sturdy tin container and it has been very successful. This year, after flowering, it will be time to transfer them to the garden proper where they will have to fend for themselves.
Scilla sardensis is a bulbous perennial and reaches to about 20 cm in height. The vibrant gentian-blue flowers have small white centres and wouldn’t they look good interspersed with white chionodoxa to get the Nichols avalanche effect – or quite simply set amongst our own native primrose?
* Sart is a small neighbourhood in Western Turkey.
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