Putting on quite a show in late March is Leucojum aestivalis, commonly known as summer snowflake. The specific epithet “aestivalis” means “of the summer”, but I’m not sure why a late winter/early spring flowering bulb has such an odd epithet, as well as a common name of summer snowflake. Regardless, since we’re living in a time where renaming long-known items like mountains and gulfs has become acceptable, we’re officially renaming summer snowflakes to spring snowflakes. We’ll email the White House about changing the Latin name to Leucojum vernalis.
Leucojum aestivalis is a widespread European native bulb that ranges east into Iran. Our garden clump is an especially large clone, Leucojum ‘Gravetye Giant’, which is much more showy than the typical species. This gem was introduced by one of England’s most famous gardeners/garden writers, the late William Robinson (1838-1935). The cultivar is named after his former Sussex garden, ‘Gravetye Manor’, which is now a luxury hotel and garden. Winter hardiness is Zone 4b-8b.
Great write-up. I learned this year that these are snowflakes not snowdrops. I love them in my garden.
Mr. Tony, congratulations on your Veitch award!! Yes, sorry sir, the cat’s out of the bag!
Sincerely, a volunteer
Linnaeus named this plant. Being a Swede living in Sweden it probably didn’t bloom until summer
Well,- concerning ‘Contacting the White House’…someone in there might get awfully popular by helping us gardeners back to be able to buy at least PLANT-SEEDS from abroad,- I can’t help thinking…(!)