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Lily-of-the-field Sternbergia

Phonetic Spelling
stern-BER-jee-uh
Description

The genus was named after Count Kaspar von Sternberg, who was a Austrian botanist. 

Except for Sternbergia vernalis and Sternbergia candida, fall is the time for its flowers to bloom.  After flowering, it produces crocus-like leaves that last through the winter.  It grows best in moist, fertile, gritty, well-drained soil with protection from the wind. It will grow in part shade, however, full sun will allow the plant to be at its best.  Provide regular watering during the growing season, while maintaining a dry environment when the bulb is dormant.  

The yellow flowers add some color to your fall garden, first appearing in a cup shape, then opening into a star shape.  The foliage appears along with the flowers and will remain through the winter months.  They eventually die to the ground as spring approaches.  

Maintenance is moderate, only requiring clean up after the foliage has withered.  Allow new bulbs to remain in their current location for several years, usually around 4 years.  After that time, bulbs can be divided.  

Although this plant can be grown from seed, division is the preferred method.  

Plant 4-6" apart (5 per 6" pot) at a depth of 5".  This bulb is classified as Semi-hardy/Half-hardy to Zone 6, it can be injured at temperatures below 28 degrees F (-2 degrees C). Planting in a protected location such as the south side of your home or along a sunny wall can help the plant to survive in winter months in Zone 6.

Store bulbs day at 41 degrees F (5 degrees C).

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues with disease or insects.  Snails and slugs are occasional visitors.  Narcissus viruses are in infrequent as well as Narcissus eel worm and narcissus bulb fly.

The NC State Extension Publications list includes a factsheet on the Narcissus Bulb Fly which is known to frequent this plant.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Sternbergia candida
    Rare, white flowers.
  • Sternbergia clasuana
    Yellow flowers
  • Sternbergia colchiciflora
    Small, spiral foliage, fruit at ground level
  • Sternbergia greuteriana
    Yellow flowers, small plant.
  • Sternbergia lutea
    Yellow, fall blooming, grown most often
  • Sternbergia schubertii
    Rare, fall blooming, leaves absent when blooming.
  • Sternbergia sicula
    Narrow leaves, light yellow flower.
  • Sternbergia vernalis
    Spring blooming, yellow flowers.
Sternbergia candida, Sternbergia clasuana, Sternbergia colchiciflora, Sternbergia greuteriana, Sternbergia lutea, Sternbergia schubertii, Sternbergia sicula, Sternbergia vernalis
Tags:
#fragrant#bulb#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#perennial bulbs#winter interest#fall interest#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#clumping#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#flowering bulb#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Sternbergia candida
    Rare, white flowers.
  • Sternbergia clasuana
    Yellow flowers
  • Sternbergia colchiciflora
    Small, spiral foliage, fruit at ground level
  • Sternbergia greuteriana
    Yellow flowers, small plant.
  • Sternbergia lutea
    Yellow, fall blooming, grown most often
  • Sternbergia schubertii
    Rare, fall blooming, leaves absent when blooming.
  • Sternbergia sicula
    Narrow leaves, light yellow flower.
  • Sternbergia vernalis
    Spring blooming, yellow flowers.
Sternbergia candida, Sternbergia clasuana, Sternbergia colchiciflora, Sternbergia greuteriana, Sternbergia lutea, Sternbergia schubertii, Sternbergia sicula, Sternbergia vernalis
Tags:
#fragrant#bulb#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#perennial bulbs#winter interest#fall interest#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#clumping#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#flowering bulb#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Sternbergia
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Borders, rock gardens and containers.
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern Africa and Southern Europe
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    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:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Single yellow flowers bloom in early fall. The flower sits atop the erect stems.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The foliage will persist through the winter months in warmer locations.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Short stems reach up to 6" tall.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Rabbits