8 Of The Best Companion Flowers For Glory Of The Snow, A Winter-Blooming Beauty

Glory of the snow (Chionodoxa luciliae) is a beautiful, cheerful little flower that shows up early enough to make you stop and smile just when winter feels like it's dragging on. Native to the rocky slopes of Turkey, this stunning perennial will complement rock or woodland gardens and is also perfect for planting under your deciduous trees. This brightly colored flower is known for pushing through the last bit of snow and blooms in late winter to very early spring. There are several colorful flowers that will bloom in your garden in early spring and make great companion flowers for your glory of the snow due to their similar blooming schedules and growing conditions, such as daffodils, snowdrops, snow crocuses, and tulips.

There are a lot of benefits to companion planting that include attracting more pollinators, helping the flowers repel pests and diseases, and, of course, the beauty of combining different colors and flower styles together. Mixing in companion flowers with glory of the snow naturally helps your garden not just thrive but flourish. Companion planting is also a win for early pollinators, who appreciate having more than one type of flower to visit when food is still scarce. Instead of planting bulbs here and there and hoping for the best, adding these companion flowers creates a little community of blooms that support one another and look good doing it. There are some companion planting mistakes that everyone makes, but they can be avoided with the right knowledge and planning, so your glory of the snow and the flowers you plant along with them will be happy and healthy.

Daffodils (Narcissus) are bright, sunny perennials hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8 that bloom in late winter and early spring. It shares many growing conditions with the glory of the snow, including preferring sunny planting spots that get at least six hours of sunlight daily. Daffodils need well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Keep the soil moist during the growing season but never soggy. These sunny flowers can handle dry soil during the dormant season, starting in very late spring. With the right soil and growing conditions, daffodils are virtually pest-free. 

Lungwort (Pulmonaria) is a hardy perennial in zones 3 to 8 that blooms in spring, typically in April and May, with flowers that often shift from pink to blue as they mature. Lungwort thrives best in partial shade, so with careful plant arranging, you can use it as a great companion for glory of the snow. Lungwort prefers well-draining, organically rich soil that stays moist, but you want to keep it from being soggy to avoid root rot.

Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis), hardy in zones 3 to 9, are early bloomers, appearing from late winter into early spring. Their long-lasting flowers, ranging from soft pastels to deep purples, add color to your garden during a time when not much else is blooming. Hellebores grow well in partial shade and appreciate well-draining soil with consistent moisture that is not soggy or waterlogged. Because they bloom so early and thrive in similar conditions, they pair naturally with glory of the snow, offering a seamless transition from tiny bulbs to larger, eye-catching blossoms as the season progresses.

Arabis, or wall rock cress (Arabis caucasica), is a low-growing perennial hardy in zones 4 to 7 that puts out clusters of white or pink blooms in early spring, often overlapping with glory of the snow's flowering period. It thrives in full sun but can handle a bit of light shade, making it easy to tuck near early bulbs. Wall rock cress prefers well-draining soil and handles dry conditions once established. Its mounded shape and early color make it a natural companion for glory of the snow, adding brightness as those tiny blooms begin to fade.

Primrose (Primula vulgaris) is a hardy perennial in zones 3 to 8 that can start blooming in early spring, around the same time as glory of the snow is finishing its flowering season, and can continue to bloom into fall depending on the species. Its bright flowers come in a wide mix of bright and beautiful colors. Primroses grow best in partial shade and thrive in soil that stays evenly moist and drains well. Because they require similar growing conditions and keep the color going as early blooming bulbs fade, primroses make a natural partner for glory of the snow.

Snow crocus (Crocus chrysanthus) is a lovely perennial native to Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria, and is hardy in zones 3 to 8. This cool-weather-loving flower blooms from February into March, making it a great companion for glory of the snow, which also blooms in late winter and early spring. Snow crocuses prefer full sun, at least six to eight hours daily, and well-draining soil that is sandy or gritty. It will fail to thrive in soils that are heavy and clay-based. Watch out for squirrels when you plant snow crocuses because they have quite a liking for them.

Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are a perennial with lovely white flowers that are striking paired with the bright violet-blue of glory of the snow. Native to southwestern Asia and Europe, this late winter bloomer is hardy in zones 3 to 7 and prefers full sun to part shade. Snowdrops are ideal for planting under your deciduous trees so they can take advantage of the full sun in early spring and the shade of the trees as their leaves fill in. Snowdrops thrive in well-draining soil with medium moisture levels that has a lot of decomposed matter in it. 

Tulips (Tulipa) are stunning perennials, hardy in zones 3 to 8, that are native to the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe. Tulips make a great companion to glory of the snow and have similar growing needs, although they don't start their blooming season until April, right after glory of the snow is finished. These beautiful flowers prefer full sun and fertile, well-draining soil that is on the drier and sandier side. Tulips are prone to root rot, especially in poor-draining soil that stays too soggy, so avoid overwatering.