How do you Grow Glory of Snow?
This can be a difficult question to answer for beginner gardeners because of numerous factors including climate, soil, and experience level.
This article will help solve this problem and give beginner gardeners Easy-to-Follow Steps on growing glory of snow ANYWHERE.
And I recommend scrolling to the bottom of this page to find answers to the 7 most frequently asked questions most gardeners have when growing glory of snow.
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Step #1: Plant This Type of Glory of Snow
- Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
- Length & Width: 3 inches x 6 inches
- Watering Needs: Average
- Sun Exposure: Full
- Bloom Time: Early Spring
While there are several varieties of the glory of snow flower there is only one type that is common to gardeners and what you should grow.
For beginner gardeners you should plant the common glory of snow.
This type of glory of snow is easiest to find, is the easiest to plant, and requires little to no care.
The glory of snow is also known as the Chionodoxa and can be grown in seed or bulbs.
Expect beautiful colors of blue, white, and pink when this flower blooms in early to mid spring.
The other types of the glory of snow you can grow include the Alba Glory of Snow, the Pink Giant, Violet Beauty, and the Chionodoxa.
These types of glory of snow can add additional color to your spring garden, but are harder to find and require more maitenance yearly.
Step #2: How to Grow Glory of Snow from Bulbs
Glory of Snow are a beautiful flower that blooms in early to mid-spring.
Unlike conventional thinking, Glory of Snow are perennial flowers.
Most flower gardeners think Glory of Snow are annual flowers because hybrid glory of snow can become weakened perennials over time.
Step 1 – Plant Your Glory of Snow Bulbs in the Fall
First, make sure you buy your appropriate Glory of Snow on Amazon on another reputable garden vendor.
Plant your glory of snow bulbs in the fall when your soil is cooler & the temperature is between 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant your bulbs before the first frost!
Take the temperature of your soil and ensure that it will stay below 60 degrees for 12 weeks or think about planting your glory of snow in pots.
- Hardiness Zones 3 – 5: Plant in September
- Hardiness Zones 6 – 7: Plant in October
- Hardy Zones 8 – 9: Plant in December
*Find Your Hardiness Zone HERE*
Step 2 – Prepare Your Soil THIS Way!
Locate the area of your flower garden or yard where you want to plant your glory of snow.
- Glory of Snow do best in an area that receives partial to full afternoon sun.
- The soil should be well-draining and should be neutral to slightly acidic (6.0 – 7.0 pH level).
- The flower garden should be well protected from wind and heavy rain.
Mix 3 inches of Flower Garden Soil to the top 6 inches of your garden soil.
Step 3 – Simply Plant Your Glory of Snow Bulbs
To have the most success planting your bulbs you should simply dig a hole 8 inches deep and plant 10 glory of snow bulbs next to each other.
*Make sure the Glory of Snow Bulbs “pointy” part is facing up*
Then mix flower fertilizer (that has a 10-10-10 NPK ratio) in the hole (according to the the instructions). And then fill the holes with your flower and garden soil mix.
Next, water your glory of snow bulbs for 15 seconds. This will help promote the start of root growth. Continue to water your bulbs for 15 seconds once a week for the first month.
Then continue this process for as many bulbs as you want to grow. Make sure to spread each set of 10 glory of snow bulbs 4 inches apart.
Step 4 – Do THIS in the Winter
In the beginning of winter you will want to mulch your flower garden bed.
After you mulch the flower garden bed do nothing else to your glory of snow bulbs the rest of winter.
Step 5 – And do THIS in the Spring
Once the year becomes spring and your glory of snow grow leaves then you should add flower fertilizer again.
Then water your glory of snow once a week until your glory of snow bloom.
As soon your glory of snow petals fall off the flower deadhead it.
And make sure to keep your leaves on the flower for 6 weeks while your flower absorbs and retains energy for next year’s bloom.
Step 6 – Maintain minimal maintenance in summer
Once it becomes summer you should cut the stem and leaves of your glory of snow where it meets the soil.
Do not water your glory of snow in the summer. Do not fertilize your glory of snow in the summer. Simply leave your glory of snow in the ground all summer.
Frequently Asked Questions (9 Questions)
#1. How Do You Grow Glory of Snow in Pots?
If you are not able to plant your glory of snow bulbs in an area your garden or yard, or if your soil will not stay below 60 degrees Fahrenheit then you should plant your Glory of Snow in a container.
To have the most success planting Glory of Snow Bulbs in pots you should do the following:
- Bury your bulbs in a container with 8 inches of Flower Garden Soil over it.
- Make sure the “pointy” end of the bulb is facing up
- Immediately water your glory of snow bulbs for 15 seconds
- Before the first frost of the year move your container to an area of your property that is cool and dry. Keep it here throughout winter
- Once you notice green growth emerging in the winter move your container into a sunny area and begin watering it once a week.
- Once your glory of snow petals fall off you will want to deadhead your flower.
- Let the green growth of your plant remain for 6 weeks. Then cut it and your stem where it meets your soil.
#2. How Do I Water My Glory of Snow?
You should water your Glory of Snow three different ways.
- Immediately after you plant your glory of snow bulbs you should soak the soil for 15 seconds
- Continue watering your glory of snow bulbs once a week for the first month and then don’t water until the spring
- Begin watering your glory of snow once a week once green growth returns in the spring
#3. How Do I Feed My Glory of Snow?
To properly feed your glory of snow with the fertilizer you should wait until the glory of snow flowers have faded and begun falling off your flower.
To have the most success use Glory of Snow Fertilizer. This will help your glory of snow store nutrients properly for the next season.
For best results, simply follow the instructions on your fertilizer product.
#4. How Do I Cut Glory of Snow?
If you want to display your glory of snow indoors then cut glory of snow when the flowers have grown, but not blossomed. It is okay if the flower bud is slightly green, but should have color.
Place the cut glory of snow in a vase with water at room temperature. Every few days change your water.
If you want your glory of snow to last longer in the vase then you should add Miracle-Gro for Fresh Cut Flowers.
#5. How Do I Protect my Glory of Snow from Pests
The biggest threat to your glory of snow is deer, squirrels, and chipmunks. This is both when your glory of snow are growing and blooming.
To prevent your bulbs from digging up place bird netting over the ground where they are planted.
If you are trying to prevent deer then you should use deer repellent. If this does not work then grow your glory of snow bulbs in pots and containers out of the deer’s reach.
#6. How do I Prevent Common Glory of Snow Diseases
The most common glory of snow diseases and harmful insects are gray mold, slugs, snail, aphids, nematodes, and bulb rot.
You can help prevent these diseases and harmful insects by using a fungicide spray and an insecticide spray in early spring as green growth begins to emerge.
#7. What are the Best Uses for Glory of Snow?
Glory of Snow are best used for indoor display, but can also add color to raised garden beds, container gardening, or even in your traditional flower garden.
Glory of Snow can complement columbines, azaleas, lilacs, daffodils, crocus, and even hyacinths.
#8. What types of Bulb Should I buy?
Purchasing Glory of Snow Bulbs is a much easier task than say vegetable or herb seeds, where you have to worry about GMOs, Organic, Heirloom, etc.
When buying glory of snow bulbs you should stick to hybrid or heirloom. These will give you the best success in growing Glory of Snow.
Hybrid Glory of Snow Bulbs are weakened perennials that may or may not come up every year.
Heirlom Glory of Snow Bulbs are perennial bulbs that come up yearly but have a higher risk of contracting a disease, harmful insect, or fungus.
Just as important is where you buy your bulbs from. I recommend buying your seeds from Amazon. This will provide you with the best price and quickest delivery.
#9. What Type of Gardening Pot Should I Buy?
I recommend buying one type of pot.
Buy a 5-gallon pot.
- This is essential if you want to allow your glory of snow to grow to its fullest. It is also important if you want to continue to grow your glory of snow outside.
