Cape Hyacinth, Star of Bethlehem, Spire Lily, Starflower
| When to Plant: | |
| Fall |
| Blooms: | |
| Spring |
| Light Requirements: | |
| Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Plant Height: | ||
| Varies by type. Ranges from 6-36". | ||
| Hardiness Zones: | |
| Grow as Perennial in zones 5-11, depending on variety. Grow as Annual elsewhere. Find Your Zone |
| Planting Depth: | |
| 2-3" |
| Plant Spacing: | |
| 4-6" |
| Plant Type: | |
| Bulb |
Ornithogalum produces flower spikes of multiple, star-shaped blooms appear atop flower stems. Narrow, linear, grass-like leaves grow in clump form. Don't be surprised to see small sprouts in autumn that will be followed by flowers in spring.
Plant in the fall, before the first frost hardens the soil. Dig a hole to the required depth. Place bulb in hole, pointed side up. Cover with soil and water thoroughly. Mulch in extreme climates.
For container planting, bury the bulb three times as deep as the bulb is wide. In zones 6 and below, you will need to protect your bulb containers. Place them near the foundation of the house or other structure. In zones 3-5, place the container in an unheated garage or shed.
After blooming, leave the bulbs in place so plants can clump or reseed. Leave foliage in place after blooming. This lets the bulb grow and strengthen for future planting by allowing photosynthesis to take place, creating food from the leaves soaking in the sunlight. Foliage may be removed when leaves turn yellow and die back.
Divide only when containers or planting spaces become too crowded. Propagate in the fall by division after they have been chilled for four weeks in a moist medium.
Ornithogalum plants are aggressive spreaders in the garden and will naturalize quickly. These often forgotten beauties grow best in areas where the plants can spread around without disturbing other plants. Grow in containers for easy access to long-blooming cut flowers.
