Star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Star of Bethlehem:
Previously known as:
- Galtonia
- Phonetic Spelling
- or-nith-oh-GAY-lum
- Description
-
This fragrant and showy bulb prefers rich, well-drained soil and to be buried to a depth of 4 in. (10 cm) and spaced 2-5 in. (5-12 cm) apart. It looks great in borders fronts, but can also be used as a ground-cover or grown in containers. Remember that it dislikes being disturbed so choose its location wisely.
As other perennial flowers are fading, these tall, white-flowered spikes rise later in the summer and early fall. Above long, dark green, strap-shaped leaves, the spikes rise as high as 4 feet with as many as 30 pendant, bell-shaped flowers on each spike. The flowers are long-lasting and make excellent cut flowers for arrangements. They open gradually from the bottom to the top of the spike and the leaves die back gradually after flowering.
Tolerant of many climate ranges, it is considered semi-hardy Tender III plant, injured below 28 degrees F. In colder climates, bulbs can be lifted, dried, and stored over winter for planting in the spring. When planting, bury bulbs to a depth of 6 in. (15 cm) and space them 8-12 in. (20-30 cm) apart. It naturalizes easily.
Grows best in full to PM Sun.Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant issues.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- O. arabicum
- O . saundersiae
O. umbellatum
- O. arabicum
- O. arabicum, O . saundersiae, O. thyrsoides, O. umbellatum
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- O. arabicum
- O . saundersiae
O. umbellatum
- O. arabicum
- O. arabicum, O . saundersiae, O. thyrsoides, O. umbellatum
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ornithogalum
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Bulb Storage:
- Bulbs can be lifted, dried, and stored over the winter in colder climates. Store bulbs dry in vermiculite at 63-72 degrees F (17-23C).
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 5 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
-
-
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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- White bell-shaped flowers with green center that are long lasting, fragrant, and make good cut flowers. Blooms open gradually from the bottom to top of the spike.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Strap-shaped foliage dies down after the flowers fade.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in a single cap like scale
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- English Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
