Ornithogalum, also known as ‘Star of Bethlehem,’ has tall scapes covered with creamy-white cup-shaped flowers. They are carefree plants with graceful fragrant blooms that can tolerate some shade as well as moisture. Shorter varieties work great in a rock garden while taller ones do well as a herbaceous border. Prefer good drainage and soil and mulch protection in cooler climates.
Ornithogalum Arabicum
Ornithogalum Arabicum has large pure white blooms often over 2” wide with a prominent dark center. Sometimes called the ‘Black Pearl Lily’, it’s a desert native that does well in dry areas of zones 7-10. Good for warmer gardens or for forcing.
Size: 14/16 cm
Plant: 3 Bulbs Per Sq Ft
Bloom Time: Late Spring
Planting Depth: 3″
Height: 30″
Zone: 7-10
Exposure: Sunny
Ornithogalum Nutans
Ornithogalum Nutans (also known as ‘Drooping Ornithogalum’) has several small fragrant green striped pendant silvery-white flowers. It is taller than than Umbellatum, less aggressive and best suited for warmer climates, zones 5-9. It tolerates shade well.
Size: 14+ cm
Plant: 3 Bulbs Per Sq Ft
Bloom Time: May
Planting Depth: 4″
Height: 24-30″
Zone: 5-9
Exposure: Semi-Shade
Ornithogalum Umbellatum
Ornithogalum Umbellatum is the most common form of Ornithogalum with star-shaped white flowers that close at night. It’s the hardiest form for the North. In the South it’s a good naturalizer, but can be aggressive. South of zone 6 you might want to sow it in a pot to keep it in bounds.
Size: 5/+ cm
Plant: 10 Bulbs Per Sq Ft
Bloom Time: Early Spring
Planting Depth: 4″
Height: 12″
Zone: 4-9
Exposure: Semi-Sunny