Leucojum autumnale
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Snowflakes (Leucojum) and snowdrops (Galanthus) are the archetypal early spring bulbs. Usually the first to burst forth as the weather warms, they have become so associated with spring that one species is often overlooked.
The autumn snowflake (Leucojum autumnale) bucks the spring-flowering habit of its relatives and comes into bloom from late summer. It’s hard to know whether it’s very late to bloom or very early. Whichever, the season is quite different from the other snowflakes.
So too are its preferred growing conditions. It thrives not in cool moist woodlands but in sunny open places, especially rockeries or large tufa troughs, and doesn’t seem to suffer in hot dry conditions. This doubtless reflects the fact that the autumn snowflake is a native of the light open woods and grasslands of the Iberian Peninsular, Sardinia, Sicily and nearby parts of North Africa.
Its foliage is very fine and grassy and with age the bulbs multiply so that the leaves form a thick clump. The flowers, in heads of 1–3 blooms, are 8–12 mm wide and carried on wiry stems around 15 cm high. They are white, flushed with pink at the base, slightly fragrant, frilled at the edges and the stems are have a red tint. The leaves appear after or with the flower stems and the foliage clump isn’t fully developed until after blooming.
This dainty appearance and the ability to tolerate heat makes the autumn snowflake an ideal substitute for snowdrops in warm winter gardens. It has been successfully cultivated in places as warm as Brisbane, Australia yet is hardy enough for Britain.
Autumn snowflake is no trouble to grow. Just plant it in a sunny well-drained position and watch the bulbs multiply. It will also grow in morning shade and can be naturalised under trees provided they don’t cast deep shade.
Narcissus bulb fly is about the only pest and is only rarely a problem. Dress the bulbs with Diazinon at planting time if you are at all worried.
You may occasionally see autumn snowflake listed under the old name Acis autumnalis. It’s the same plant. Leucojum roseum from Sardinia and Corsica is similar to L. autumnale but is a smaller, has leaves with a slightly grey tint and its flowers are pale pink.
Copyright Geoff Bryant
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