Species Star of Bethlehem
White flower with  yellow stigma and style lime-yellow ovary, yellow anthersm white filaments, green-white buds, lime petiole, green leaves and stems

Star of Bethlehem

Ornithogalum umbellatum

Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is a perennial plant with clumps of grass-like foliage topped with umbels of star-shaped white flowers. Its delicate, snow-like blossoms offer a unique textural contrast in areas of deep green foliage. It is often used as a naturalizing plant in shady wooded areas and perennial borders. Its easy-to-grow and low-maintenance nature make it particularly useful for gardeners of all skill levels. A cold hardy species, Star of Bethlehem is also tolerant of clay soil and blooms early in the season, making it a wonderful addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Offsets

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Star of Bethlehem prefers well-drained soil and should be kept evenly moist during the growing season. Water the soil around this plant deeply and regularly, providing enough water so that it reaches the plant’s roots. The soil should be allowed to dry slightly between waterings. During the winter months, reduce watering so the soil is just barely moist. Watering once every 2 to 3 weeks should suffice.

sunlight

Star of Bethlehem, Ornithogalum umbellatum, does well when it is provided with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, preferably in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is not at its hottest. This plant is not overly picky and will tolerate some dappled shade in the peak of the day. Placing the plant in an outdoor area where it can get direct sunlight at least 5 hours per day will ensure healthy growth and production of flowers.

pruning

Star of Bethlehem should be pruned in early spring before the arrival of new growth. Cut back the foliage by about 1-third and then remove any dead or damaged leaves. Be sure to wear gloves when pruning since the sap can irritate skin. In addition, it’s important to cut just above a leaf node on each stem and avoid cutting into old, woody stems. Pruning too drastically can inhibit the plant’s new growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Ornithogalum umbellatum typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map