When snow, ice, wind and gray skies seem endless this little treasure is sure to give you hope that spring is just around the corner. It is often the first to bloom in my garden and its bright blue color stands out equally well on barren brown soil or icy cold snow. In fact, it looks pretty good even on dirty melting snow and that is probably when you need it the most to brighten your day. Unlike some other spring bulbs the foliage seems to disappear without effort or unsightliness and the bulbs multiply easily so that you are rewarded in successive years with larger and larger clumps.
Type: Bulb.
Bloom: Bright blue star-shaped flowers with white centers in late winter to early spring.
Size: 4-12” H x 6” W.
Light: Full sun to part shade.
Soil: Average, well drained soil.
Hardiness: Zones 3-8.
Care: Allow foliage to die naturally after blooming.
Pests and Diseases: None of importance.
Propagation: Division of offsets in summer; seed.
Companion plants: Other small early spring bloomers such as crocuses, grape hyacinths (Muscari) and squills (Scilla); with later blooming and taller daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips.
Outstanding Selections: ‘Blue Giant’, ‘Pink Giant’, ‘Alba’ (white).
Comments: Naturalize in lawns, rock gardens and under deciduous trees.
Karen Meyers