Plant glory of the snow in fall, about 3 inches deep and 2 to 3 inches apart, pointy end up, in a cluster large enough to read as a haze.
Plant in fall, about 3 inches deep, pointy end up
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Mid to late fall, after the first frost and before the ground freezes | Spring plant-out, or waiting until the soil is frozen |
| Depth | About 3 inches to the base of the bulb (2 to 4 inches is the usual band) | Setting the bulb on the surface, or burying it twice that deep |
| Spacing | 2 to 3 inches apart. Cluster 5 to 7 in a small pocket, or mass 50 to 100 for a visible haze | Five lonely bulbs in a large bed |
| Orientation | Pointy end up | Planting on the side or upside down on purpose |
| First water | One thorough soak after planting to settle the soil | Keeping the hole wet all winter |
Wait until the soil has cooled — often when it is about 60°F or colder. Pick a spot that drains. Glory of the snow is small; a haze needs a mass, not a dotted line. [1] [2]
When should I plant glory of the snow?
Fall, after the first frost and before the ground freezes. Mid to late fall is the usual window.
When to plant Chionodoxa bulbs?
The same fall window. Do not hold the bag until spring if the ground will freeze first.
How to plant glory of the snow
Work one pocket at a time: confirm the tag, set depth, space a cluster, then water once.
- Confirm glory of the snow / Chionodoxa. Skip a morning- glory vine packet and skip Siberian squill if that is not what you bought.
- Choose free-draining ground in sun to high shade. Skip a clay puddle.
- Dig about 3 inches deep. Set each bulb with the pointy end up. [3]
- Space 2 to 3 inches apart. For a small pocket, plant 5 to 7 bulbs in a roughly 6-inch square. For a path or lawn haze, mass 50 to 100. [4]
- Backfill, firm gently, and water once to settle soil around the bulbs. Then wait for winter.
How deep do I plant the bulbs?
About 3 inches to the base, pointy end up. Two to four inches is the usual band.
How far apart should I plant them?
About 2 to 3 inches. Cluster several in one pocket so the haze reads.
What fails at planting
A wet clay hole rots bulbs before spring. Five bulbs in a wide bed never make a haze. Planting after the ground freezes, or setting the bulb upside down on purpose, wastes the bag. Do not copy a summer-bulb calendar onto this fall job.
Plant in fall, about 3 inches deep and 2 to 3 inches apart, pointy end up, and mass enough bulbs for a haze.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Easy to Grow Bulbs -
https://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/pages/chionodoxa-planting-guide - [2] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/scilla-luciliae/ - [3] University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture -
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/glory-snow-2-21-13.aspx - [4] University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension -
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/glory-of-the-snow-chionodoxa/
This note is part of Chionodoxa Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors