Chionodoxa forbesii Violet Beauty

Chionodoxa forbesii 'Violet Beauty' is a particularly floriferous variety of Garden Glory, offering a multitude of small stars in exquisite lavender blue from early spring.  It naturalises easily under trees, at the base of bushes, or even in flower pots, forming abundant colonies over time. Stunning among daffodils and botanical tulips!

Endemic to the mountains of southwest Turkey, at altitudes above 2500m (8202ft), this small perennial bulbous plant belonging to the Hyacinthaceae family is a close relative of hyacinths. Chionodoxa forbesii Violet Beauty is a horticultural selection of this species sometimes called Chionodoxa luciliae hort. It is a form with generous flowering of pure lavender blue, whereas this plant usually flowers in azure blue. It forms small clumps of 10-15 cm (4-6in) in flower, spreading without theoretical limit thanks to the production of numerous bulbs, until it forms beautiful liminous blankets. In February-March-April, depending on the climate, its small stars celebrate the departure of the last snow for two weeks. From a bulb, sometimes several purplish stems bearing 3 to 10 small flowers will emerge. Its foliage is ribbon-like, dark green, sometimes washed with purple at its tip. It dries out from May-June, meaning the plant enters a period of rest to escape the rigours of summer.

The Chionodoxa forbesii was once a very popular plant, a bit neglected in recent years. However, it is a flawless plant, easy to grow in a cool or montane climate, very hardy and welcome after winter. Its bright flowers spread out in flowering carpets alongside liverworts, hyacinths, squills, grape hyacinths, and botanical tulips. It will naturalise in sunny rock gardens, but also under deciduous trees and bushes, in semi-shade. It should be planted close to borders due to its low height, as this plant can successfully pierce a carpet of helxine, in a very successful association. Chionodoxas are also very interesting for use in pots.