librarian2003 (librarian2003) wrote in weagardening, @ 2009-06-22 21:03:00 |
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Current mood: | thoughtful |
Entry tags: | leucojum, plant, week |
Week 8 - Plant of the Week - Leucojum
Our plat of the week this week is Leucojum, the snowflake, together with its cousins, Acis.
Here are the pictures:
Leucojum
And here is the handout:
GARDENING FOR PLEASURE
Plant of the week
Leucojum : Snowflake Family: Amaryllidaceae
Leucojum derives from the Greek for "white violet". The Snowflake comes from Europe and the Middle East, and Leucojum vernum, the Spring Snowflake, is a rare native wildflower. Several Leucojum species have very recently been reassigned to the genus Acis, but are still often listed by suppliers as Leucojum, and are therefore included here. The two remaining species in the genus Leucojum are closely related to the Snowdrop, Galanthus.
They have narrow, strap-like, dark green leaves. The flowers are small and bell-shaped, white with a green (or occasionally yellow) spot at the end of each tepal. They have a slight fragrance. Galanthus (snowdrops) are distinguished by the inner three tepals forming a distinct bowl-shaped structure. Acis species do not have the markings on the tepals, and so are considered to be less closely related.
Leucojum vernum, the Spring snowflake, or St Joseph’s Bells, normally grows to 6-8 in, though it may reach up to 14 in. It flowers from March to May (as soon as the snow melts in its wild habitat). Two varieties of Leucojum vernum are known: L. vernum var. carpathicum originates from the eastern part of its natural range and is a larger plant with yellowish spots on its tepals rather than green; 'vagneri' from Hungary is a robust variant of var. vernum, often with two flowers per stem. L. vernum is best grown in the garden in a damp, humus-rich soil in light shade.
Leucojum aestivum, the Summer snowflake, or Loddon Lily, has a wider natural range, taking in Europe, southwest Asia and northern Iran, and growing in wetter habitats including damp woodland, riversides and swamps. Despite its common name it also flowers from March to May, though slightly later than the Spring Snowflake. It is a taller plant than Leucojum vernum, growing to around 2 ft, but its flowers are smaller and are carried in an umbel of between three and seven. Its fleshy seed pods are inflated, allowing them to be dispersed by flood water. Other common names include Devon Snowflake, St Agnew flower and St George's Violet.
Leucojum aestivum ssp pulchellum will thrive in even wetter conditions.
Leucojum aestivum has been cultivated since the 16th Century at least. The selected form ‘Gravetye Giant’ is popular in the UK and was named in 1924 by William Robinson of Gravetye Manor.
One expert suggests that 'Loddon lily' (from the River Loddon, near Reading) is an old name that was current before Linnaeus called the plant 'Leucojum aestivum' in 1759. Subsequently Linnaeus's Latin was translated as 'summer snowflake' or its equivalent in English and other languages. He used the word 'aestivum' (summer) because it flowered in May and June in central Sweden where he lived.
Eight former members of the genus, characterised by their narrow leaves, solid stems and unmarked flowers, have recently (July 2004) been reclassified as genus Acis. The Acis species prefer drier soils than Leucojum species. These include autumn-flowering Acis autumnalis, Acis rosea and Acis valentina; the spring-flowering Acis nicaeense, and winter/spring flowering Acis trichophyllum.
Acis autumnalis begins to bloom in summer and continues to bloom well into the autumn.
Acis tricophylla is native to Europe. There is a white and pink form which is more robust.
Acis nicaeensis is native to a small area in southeastern France, near the Mediterranean. The stems are about 5 inches (12 cm) tall and the flowers pure white. It flowers in late spring and needs to be kept somewhat dry in summer. It’s now believed to be extinct in the wild
Acis rosea grows wild in Corsica and Sardinia in dryish rocky or sandy places and has pale pink flowers. It blooms in late summer or early autumn before the leaves are produced.
The AGM is held by Acis autumnalis, Acis nicaeensis, Leucojum aestivum ‘Gravetye Giant’ and Leucojum vernum.
The National Collection is held by Mrs Ena Gatenby, Langstrath, 10 Deyncourt, Darras Hall, Ponteland, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE20 9RP, Tel: 01661 823406
Suppliers:
Pottertons
http://www.pottertons.co.uk
Beth Chatto Gardens
http://www.bethchatto.co.uk/
Cotswold Garden Flowers
http://www.cgf.net
Jo Hanslip
June 2009
Jo