Spring Starflower Ipheion uniflorum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Brodiaea uniflora
- Milla uniflora
- Tristagma uniflorum
- Triteleia uniflora
- Phonetic Spelling
- if-EY-on yoo-nih-FLOR-um
- Description
-
The Spring Starflower is a bulbous perennial that grows up to 10" tall. This South American ground cover tolerates drought but should be kept moist during the growing season. In early spring, its bulb produces grass-like foliage and multiple flowering 6" stems with single white to violet-blue star flowers.
The plants grow in sun to partial shade, become dormant after blooming, self-seed and bulb offset to spread leading them to be useful in naturalizing lawns and under trees. This plant prefers a sheltered, sunny position with slightly moist soil. Both flowers and foliage are mildly fragrant. Plant blooms in early to mid spring and produces masses of flowers on individual scapes. This plant spreads if left undisturbed. Plant in late fall and bury plants 5 in. to base of the bulb and space 2-4 in. apart, 10-20 bulbs per sq. ft. These are excellent for use in rock gardens, lawns, and woodland gardens.
Quick ID Hints:
- Grass-like leaves have a garlic/onion scent
- Produces 6-pointed bluish white star flowers in spring.
- Tepals have a darker central vein on the underside.
- Has numerous scapes of solitary flowers.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Four-Season Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alberto Castillo'
White flowers
- 'Alberto Castillo'
- 'Alberto Castillo'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alberto Castillo'
White flowers
- 'Alberto Castillo'
- 'Alberto Castillo'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ipheion
- Species:
- uniflorum
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Argentina and Uruguay
- Bulb Storage:
- Store corms in moist peat or vermiculite at 35-41 degrees F( 2-5C).
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Mountains
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are star-shaped and solitary, salverform, 1 1/2" in diameter, and white with a blue tinge to violet-blue in color. Flowers have 6 petals that are shortly united, have spreading lobes, and have a dark central vein on each segment.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are grass like, basal, narrowly linear, somewhat glaucous, garlic scented, bluish-green in color, 10" long and less than an inch wide.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
