Leucojum aestivum flower (21/01/2012, Kew, London)
Position: Full sun to dappled shade
Flowering period: Late winter, early spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 50cm
Eventual Spread: 20cm
Hardiness: 4a – 9b
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Leucojum aestivum is a bulbous, tufted perennial plant. Its leaves are narrow, strap shaped and grey/ green in color. The stem is up to 60cm long with two sharp denticulate edges. The hermaphrodite, pendant flowers are bell shaped, mildly fragrant and 2.5cm across. They have yellow/ green spots at the end of each of the 6 tepal. The flowers are produced in umbles of between 2 and 5 flowers. These are followed by fleshy seed pods which float, allowing them to be dispersed by flood water.
Leucojum aestivum, commonly known as the Summer Snowflake or the Loddon Lily, is native to Europe (including the UK) and south west asia. Its native habitat comprises of damp woodlands, riversides and marshes. It has been cultivated since the 16th Century.
The etymological root of the binomial name Leucojum is derived from the Greek leukos ’white flesh’ and ion ‘violet’ (Viola odorata). Aestivum is derived from the Latin aestivus ’appearing in summer’.
Leucojum aestivum (21/01/2012, Kew, London)
The landscape architect may find Leucojum aestivum useful for naturalising in wildflower meadows, or planting under deciduous trees.
Ecologically L. aestivum does not posses any ecological value as all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety L. aestivum ‘Gravetye Giant’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
L. aestivum prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate waterlogged soils. It will tolerate drought during the dormant season.
L. aestivum requires little maintenance.
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