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Key characteristics

Family: Asparagaceae
Height: 6 to 10 in
Width: 6 to 10 in
Flower color: Star-shaped light blue to lavender flowers with a white center
Foliage color: Medium to bright green, narrow strap-like leaves that form a low groundcover
Bloom time: Early spring
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate moisture
Maintenance: Low; remove spent flowers to tidy appearance, allow foliage to die back naturally after bloom, divide bulbs when clumps become crowded
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 9
Wildlife: Bees and other early-season pollinators

Bulbs

Scilla luciliae

Lucile's Glory of the Snow

Scilla luciliae bears upward-facing, star-shaped flowers in clear blue shades, each petal highlighted by a crisp white center. The blossoms appear in loose clusters atop slender stems, rising above narrow, grasslike green foliage that emerges early in the season. Flowers open wide on sunny days, creating bright patches of color close to the ground.

Blooming in early spring, this species originates from mountainous regions of western Turkey.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate moisture

Bloom time

Early spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Cottage Gardens
Under Trees
Woodland Gardens
Rock Gardens

Companion plants

Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Tulips · Astilbes · Foxgloves

Design tip

The early flowers arrive when the garden is still waking up, so give it a spot you pass often in spring. Plant in generous groups rather than single spots, and set them among perennials whose new growth covers the fading foliage.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)