Spring Snowflake (Leucojum vernum) - Wildlife-Friendly, Historic Garden Favourite (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free Bulbs)

Beloved across Europe since the 1600s, Spring Snowflake brings a calm, elegant display just as winter breaks. From tidy clumps of strap leaves, it sends up short stems carrying one to three bell flowers, each petal tipped neatly in green. In the UK it’s ancient in cultivation and occasionally naturalised in old gardens and churchyards, particularly on chalk/limestone or moist, leafy soils.

Wildlife truth: Not a top-tier nectar plant, but on mild late-winter days the open bells can be visited by early bees and hoverflies when little else is in bloom. Its long life and reliability make it a valuable part of a continuous early-season food chain.

Planting & care:

• Position: Full sun to light/part shade; best under deciduous trees or along woodland edges.

• Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained; tolerates chalk/limestone. Avoid waterlogging in winter.

• Depth/spacing: Plant 2-3× bulb depth (about 8-10 cm deep), 8-12 cm apart in informal groups.

• Aftercare: Allow foliage to die back naturally before mowing or tidying. Clumps are long-lived; divide only when flowering declines.

Why it can cost more:
This species bulks up slowly and is often increased by careful division rather than mass seed production. Supply is limited, demand is high, and quality bulbs are larger - all of which pushes the price up. The flip side: once settled, it’s a decades-long investment.

Companions for look & timing: Snowdrops, Winter Aconite, Primroses, Dog Violets - for a continuous late-winter to early-spring tapestry.

Joel says…
“Spring Snowflake is a classy way to bridge winter into spring. Tuck it into leafy shade or by a damp path edge and let the clumps build - it’s understated, long-lived and turns up every year right when you need it. As always, peat-free and ready to thrive.”

Safety note:
Like many bulbs, toxic if eaten. Keep away from pets/livestock and avoid using vase water on or near edible crops.

Why Wild Your Garden?
Unlike mass-produced plants from commercial growers, our wildflowers and bulbs come from small, peat-free, pesticide-free family nurseries that share our ethos. These growers use no herbicides, ensuring plants are safe for wildlife from the moment they arrive in your garden. Joel has used these trusted growers for 20+ years in his wildlife landscaping projects, so you can be confident they’re tried, tested, and genuinely wildlife-friendly. By buying from Wild Your Garden, you’re also supporting independent growers who put nature first.