Meadow gagea
Gagea pratensis · Liliaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant meadow gagea: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Form
- Bulb
- Flowering
- Spring (March-April)
- Adult size
- 15-25 cm tall
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-20°C)
- Origin
- Temperate and central Europe
Care
Exposure
Plant the narrow-petaled gagea in a sunny or semi-shaded location. This small bulbous plant appreciates bright spots in the garden, particularly on slopes, in rockeries or at the base of hedges. An overly shaded location will slow down flowering.
Soil
Well-drained soil is essential to prevent bulb rot. Gagea tolerates chalky soils and poor or rocky terrain. Amend lightly with coarse sand if your soil tends to be too compact or clayey.
Watering
Water moderately when planting and during active spring growth. Once established, gagea is very self-sufficient and only needs natural rainfall. Reduce watering drastically after flowering, as the bulb enters dormancy in summer.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer is really necessary for this hardy species. A light addition of well-decomposed compost at planting time is sufficient. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizers, which would promote foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pruning and cutting
No pruning is required. Let the foliage yellow naturally after flowering before removing it, as this allows the bulb to rebuild its reserves. You can remove faded flowers for a neater appearance.
Diseases and pests
Gagea is generally very robust and rarely affected by disease. Watch for bulb rot in case of persistent excess moisture. Slugs may damage young foliage in spring, but rarely seriously.
Did you know?
Narrow-petaled gagea is a small, discrete liliaceous plant but very ancient in European flora. Its scientific name honors a German Renaissance botanist. It ranks among the first wild flowers to illuminate damp meadows and spring thaw zones, often confused with other gagea species due to its striking similarity.
Where to buy it
Plant the bulbs in autumn for spring flowering. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from September to November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Formosan Toad LilyTricyrtis formosana
- Crown imperialFritillaria imperialis
- Hairy Toad LilyTricyrtis hirta
- Tulipa hybrTulipa hybr
- Fritillaria raddeanaFritillaria raddeana
- Gagea luteaGagea lutea
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.