Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Chionodoxa and Co

     I bought Chionodoxa bulbs 3 years ago and planted them in my front garden. Its bulbs are small, roundish. Now as soon as the soil has warmed these amazing bright blue small plants bloom there. I'm growing Chionodoxa luciliae Boiss variety with other vernal bulb flowers as Pushkinia, Scilla, Muscari.

 
              Chionodoxa, Scilla and Pushkinia

Elegant, undersized bulbous plant with basal leaves, which appear simultaneously with stalks. Usually there are two, dark green leaves, 8-12 cm long. Bell-shaped, of six petals, up to 4 cm in diameter, flowers are collected in inflorescence, and are blue, white or pink with a white spot in the center. Flower petals are slightly folded back. It blooms in April and May for 20 days.

                                                     
Chionodoxa grows wild in the south of Turkey, in the mountains of the Ala Dag near the border of melting snow, at altitudes up to 2500 m above the sea level. It is in the culture since 1764.

                                                                                           Chionodoxa and Pushkinia

Pure Chionodoxa varieties easily hybridize with each other and with Scilla, forming numerous hybrids. Young plants bloom in the third year, and it is difficult to find two identical copies. If desired to do selection, the source of new varieties will never run dry! It needs only some one square meter or so to work! 


Chionodoxa is winter-hardy, well in partial shade and in the sunny areas. A flowering is early where the snow melts first. I have them growing in partial shade, their flowering starts a little later, but it lasts for a few days longer.
I think that the best place for these magnificent plants is the alpine slide, because these structures are rarely found in the shade. 


 Chionodoxa forms its flower stems in the previous year and they grow in autumn and winter. It needs one or two warm days to flower stalks appeared on surface of the soil. At this time I usually strew a bit of fertilizer around the plants, making sure that it did not fall on their leaves.
Early in the spring there are no many flowering plants in garden, and for a few years this small miracle of the lily family will create a magnificent vernal courtines.
It does not require any covering for winter, and eventually grows in width, forming a striking scenic spot. 
I noticed that Hepatica nobilis, Primrose, Eranthis, Pushkinia, Scilla, Snowflakes, Daffodils and Hellebore will make a suitable company to Chionodoxa.









48 comments:

  1. I love the blue colours of your Chionodoxa and Pushkinia Nadezda.
    I see that spring also has arrived in the far north.
    Have a nice long weelend,
    Janneke

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    1. This weekend is enough long, Janneke. From Victory Day of 9th till Sunday 12th.
      The garden is changing in every day.
      Thank you!

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  2. Gorgeous flowers that go so well combined together in their shades of blue and their delicateness. I love Chionodoxa but it always disappears in our soil. Maybe it's too wet or too shady in our garden. I hadn't seen Pushkinia before but it is so lovely! I'm very glad you shared these early blooms in your garden with us Nadezda. It was a true joy to look at and to read about.
    Bye,
    Marian

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    1. I love Chionodoxa and Pushkinia for their bright blue color. It's especially lovely after the white-grey winter.
      Thank you, Marian!

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  3. These are beautiful! I'm so glad your garden is filling with flowers instead of snow. :o)

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    1. Snow's gone and do not want see it till winter:))
      Thank you, Tammy!

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  4. I have Scilla and muscari but not Chionodoxa or the others you have. The Chionodoxa is really gorgeous! I love the blue color.

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    1. I remember scilla and muscari in your early spring post, Jason. Mine are blooming just now.
      Thank you!

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  5. Hi Nadezda
    Once I learned how to spell and say Chionodoxa, I was a fan :) Pretty tricky name!!
    Your photos are exquisite. Chionodoxa is a tiny bulb but the flower is complex and beautiful. Glad Spring has arrived in St.Petersburg!
    Astrid

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    1. Astrid, I also spelled this name incorrectly and then read this: (kī-ə-nō-ˈdäk-sə). Funny name!
      I'm glad you liked my photos. Thank you!

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  6. Great to see your beautiful flowers - love blue flowers. Wish you a nice day :) Hugs!

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    1. Thank you, Hanne Bente!
      Have a nice weekend!

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  7. Happy Easter Nadezda!Wow!These are wonderful pictures of so beautiful flowers!!I have'nt seen them here!It must be so beautiful in St.Petersburg this time of the year!Thank you for sharing!Have a lovely day!
    Dimi..

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    1. Dimi, we had Easter on May 5th as you, happy Easter!
      You're right, St. Petersburg is getting green after some very warm days. It's so long-waited season.
      Thank you and have a nice weekend!

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  8. What beautiful rich bulbs --- I love the deep blue chionodoxa with the pretty striped Pushkinia, it makes a really nice combination. You have some lovely blooms going on in spring!

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    1. Yes, I love these flowers as well and have planted them together to have blue spot in my garden.
      Thank you, Laurrie!

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  9. What beautiful flowers and such lovely combinations of colours. Spring plants are always so pretty and delicate.

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  10. Hello Dear Nadezda!
    I admire the spring flowers from you. They are such a beautiful garden in adding charm.
    With me already formed the seeds. This year, all the flowers wither quickly.
    I regret.
    I cordially greet.
    Lucia

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    1. Hi, Lucia!
      My crocuses have gone and now daffodils and tulips are budding.
      The spring is fast here, you're right!
      Thank you!

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  11. Chionodoxa and Pushkinia are such a beautiful blue color! All of your spring flowers look so cheerful. This is such a wonderful time of the year!

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    1. Yes, I love this very short season when the nature hurries to sprout all its plants.
      Thank you, Peter!

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  12. Lovely photos, and the Chionodoxa is beautiful. I must admit I had not heard about it before. I wish I had a space for some, as I have so very few blue flowers, but where to put them?? My garden is so full, and the sunny side of my garden is much smaller than the shady side.

    Great to see spring has really taken off in your garden, have a great week-end, take care, Helene.

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    1. Helene,the Chionodoxa is tiny, you need a half of meter for it. When it's gone the irises sprout in this space in my garden.
      Thank you!

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  13. Hi Nadezda. It looks like spring has finally come to your part of the world. So, so pretty! I love the way the sun hits the little blossoms.

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    1. Yes, it has! We have nice sunny weather now. Thank you, Grace!

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  14. Those flowers are as blue as the sky! Beautiful! I have many of them as well, but I don't have any snow bells or Pushkinias in our garden. Happy weekend, Nadezda!

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    1. I'm glad you have and like Chionodoxa as well. Thank you, Satu!

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  15. Tu jardín está precioso, con unos colores maravillosos!!
    La Chionodoxa, por aquí se llama La gloria de las nieves:)) Son flores muy agradecidas y crecen sin mucho cuidado.
    Te deseo un fin de semana Nadezda.
    Un beso.

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    1. Tienes razon, Laura, La gloria de las nieves crece sin cuidado. Que bonito es el nombre de este flor, aunque no quiero pensar de la nieve :))
      Gracias, Laura.M!

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  16. What a cheery sight these Chionodoxa are! When the sun shines on the blue petals they have a wonderful sparkle to them. I love the way you've planted them with the Pushkinia, they go so beautifully together. Great photos Nadezda :)

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    1. I love their sparkly petals too. I think Pushkinia goes well with Chionodoxa.
      Thank you, Rosemary!

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  17. So nice photos!Thank you
    Nadezda, That yellow flower is rapeseed.Brassica napus is cultivated mainly for its oil-rich seed, the third largest source of vegetable oil in the world. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapeseed
    Have a nice week!

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  18. Blue is my favorite color, so I love these little spring bloomers. Is Pushkinia the variegated blue and white flower? So pretty!

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    1. Yes, it is. I love Pushkinia for its light blue (or white) color of petals with blue line on them.
      Thank you, Rose!

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  19. I have never seen or heard of Pushkinia before. It’s gorgeous.
    It’s quite unknown here. I wonder if I could find it in a special catalogue somewhere.

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    1. Frico,I agree, Pushkinia is a pretty small bulb flower. I love its color, very tender white-blue.
      I hope you will able to find it.
      Thank you!

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  20. Hello Nadezda girl !
    What gorgeous pictures of this little beauty you have taken .. they are magical with such sparkle !
    Blue is such an extraordinary colour in our gardens eh ?
    I have a lot to do in the garden yet .. and we have had a frost warning for tonight .. just before our long weekend when everyone is busy in their gardens .. I just planted a few bits and pieces Saturday morning but I think they will be alright .. I hope so in any case !!
    Soon I will be complaining about the heat and humidity, so I better enjoy the cooler temps for now ! LOL
    Joy : )

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    1. Joy, you said very well:'little beauty'. I love them too!
      I hope there was no frost in your place, all your planting will be all right! We have warm weather, sunny, +20 C. Thank you!

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  21. Hello! Very nice blog and interesting posts, great atmosphere.
      Have a nice day. :)
    Welcome to our blog about photography. +
    I hope you also enjoy it with us.

    Greetings!

    "Do what you love is not even that, but anyway"

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    1. Patricia, thank you for dropping by!
      I will see your blog too.
      Have a nice day!

      Delete
  22. What a lovely bulb! It must be a treasure to see that beauty in your garden at this time of year.

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    1. You are right, Michelle! Chionodoxa is tiny treasure in my garden.
      Thank you!

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  23. Beautiful photos of the Chionodoxa and Pushkinia! The blue colors and sheen on the petals are wonderful.

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    1. You're right, I love them for their nice color too.
      Thank you, sweetbay!

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  24. Yours are quite beautiful and you taught me something new, I had no idea these plants would cross and form new varieties. The blue and white stripes are quite pretty and a flower I would enjoy, I'm going to have to search these out.
    Beautiful.

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    1. It's interesting that they cross and I have different varieties now.
      Thank you, Barb!

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