In the Washington DC area, one of the earliest blooming spring flowers is Glory in the Snow. I usually start seeing it in local gardens in early March. The bright purple – blue flowers are a welcome splash of color after the duller colors of winter.

(c) 2011 Patty Hankins

Native to Turkey, Crete and Cyprus – Glory of the Snow are an early blooming spring flowers. Members of the  Hyacinthaceae family, they grow 4-6″ tall,  with 6 petaled flowers. The most common color for Glory of the Snow is a wonderful shade of blue-purple. There are some white and pink varieties available.

(c) 2011 Patty Hankins

In the U.S – Glory in the Snow is hardy from zones 4a to 8b. It prefers to grow in full sun or part shade. It seems to grow nicely in wooded areas – blooming before the leaves grow in the bushes and trees.

(c) 2011 Patty Hankins

At Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland there is a wonderful area near the Children’s Garden where hundreds of Glory in the Snow bloom each spring. Each year, the patch is larger and more beautiful than the year before. For me – I know spring is just about here when I see the Glory in the Snow at Brookside Gardens.  🙂

(c) 2011 Patty Hankins