Ornithogalum nutans
Drooping star of Bethlehem
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This plant makes a fresh and, when well grown, profuse contribution to the spring landscape. The flowers are pendulous bells with long petals flaring near their tip. The flowers are basically white but green slashes can be seen within the cup and the base is suffused green at the stalk junction. The colour is bright and fresh, and close inspection reveals a silvery suffusion over the whiteness. The plant comes from a mass of strappy fresh green leaves that start to die back whilst it is still in flower. This is naturalised in parts of Cornwall. It reaches around 60cm (2ft) height and equivalent spread.
- Flower colour
- Green, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
AutumnNow
Autumn - mid · Planting
Divide while dormant
Clumps of bulbs, corms or rhizomes can be divided when the plant is dormant. The divided bulbs or corms can immediately be replanted at a little distance from each other, or moved to other locations.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Summer · Outdoors
Water during drought
Water plants in the ground regularly after a period of drought if still in growth (prefer to be dry when dormant). Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Found in
More Ornithogalum
Ornithogalum
Star of Bethlehem
Ornithogalum 'White Trophy'
Star of Bethlehem
Ornithogalum dubium
Vari-coloured chincherichee, Sun star
Ornithogalum lanceolatum
Tapered leaf star of Bethlehem
Ornithogalum magnum
Noble star of Bethlehem
Ornithogalum reverchonii
Reverchonii star of Bethelehem
Ornithogalum thyrsoides
Wonder flower
Ornithogalum umbellatum
Umbelled Star of Bethlehem