common star of bethlehem
Ornithogalum umbellatum
RHS Plants for Pollinators
USDA zones4 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size6 to 12 inches tall12 to 24 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Clumping
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Common star of bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is a bulb for borders, rock gardens, ground cover, and pollinator gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full or part sun and dry to moist soil of most types. White flowers with a green stripe on the outside bloom in early to late spring and again in early to late summer. The fragrant blooms attract bees. Deer and rabbits tend to pass it by.
Pairs well with Obsidian coral bells, Prairie dropseed, and Carnaval De Nice tulip.
Native range
Europe, Baleares, Corse, NW. Balkan Pen., and 2 more places. See all 6
Europe, Baleares, Corse, NW. Balkan Pen., Sardegna, and Sicilia.