Star-of-Bethlehem

Star-of-Bethlehem: how do you recognise it?

Habit

A low bulb 15–20 cm tall that forms dense groups through offsets and seed.

Leaves

Narrow and grassy, with a white central stripe; appear as early as autumn or winter and already die back during flowering.

Flowers

Star-shaped, 2–3 cm across, with six petals, in loose clusters of 5–20 flowers; in April and May.

Colour

Pure white inside; the outside has a broad green stripe.

Bulb

Small, round and white, with many offsets around the mother bulb.

Flowering: April–May · Plants: September–November

Why grow it?

• Naturalises easily in grass, under trees and in a wild garden: after a few years you have a carpet of white stars.
• Flowers in April and May, between the early spring bulbs and the summer flowers.
• Bees and other insects visit the open flowers on sunny days.
• Very hardy and undemanding: grows in sand, loam and clay, including chalky soil.
• A lovely sight: around midday the grass suddenly seems to flower white.

Star-of-Bethlehem: where does it grow best?

• Sun to partial shade: the flowers open best in the sun. Under deciduous trees it gets enough light in spring.
• Sandy, loamy or clay soil, neutral to chalky; dry to moist, but not boggy.
• Ideal in grass, a wildflower meadow, under shrubs or in a wild corner; not suited to a tidy border.
• Plant in groups of 25 or more bulbs, 8–10 cm apart; it will then fill the space by itself.

Light

Sun and partial shade

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Neutral or chalky

Moisture

Dry or normal

Size

0.2 m tall, 0.1 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -25 °C)

Goes well with

• Cowslip: Yellow flowers in the same sunny, chalky grassland in April and May.
• Grape hyacinth: A blue underlayer that flowers at the same time.
• Wild tulip: Yellow, scented little tulips that also naturalise in grass and under trees.
• Ox-eye daisy: Takes over the flowering in the meadow in May and June and hides the dying foliage.

Star-of-Bethlehem: when and how to plant it?

Plant in September–November.

1. Plant the bulbs from September to November, in soil that is neither frozen nor waterlogged.
2. In grass, make a hole with a bulb planter, or cut and lift a piece of turf and lay the bulbs underneath.
3. Plant them 5–8 cm deep, pointed end up.
4. Leave 8–10 cm between the bulbs, in loose, natural groups.
5. Firm the soil or turf well and water if it is very dry.

Care

Watering

Not needed: autumn and winter rain is enough. In summer the bulb rests dry.

Feeding

Not needed; in rich soil it only multiplies faster.

Mowing

Only mow the grass once the bulb foliage has died back, usually from June onwards.

Spent flowers

Cut them off if you want to limit self-seeding; leave the leaves.

Leaves

The leaves go limp and yellow during flowering. This is normal and not a disease.

Tip: Plant it in grass where you pass around midday, for example by the patio or under a fruit tree: only then will you see the stars wide open.

Star-of-Bethlehem: when to prune it?

When: Star-of-Bethlehem is not pruned. At most, you remove the spent flowers in May and clear away the dead leaves in June.

How:

• Cut off spent flower clusters before the seed pods ripen if you want it to self-seed less.
• Leave the leaves until they are completely yellow and limp.
• In grass, do not mow before June, so the bulb can build up enough reserves.

Caution: To keep it in check, dig out part of the group in June. Put the bulbs in the household waste, not on the compost heap, where they will sprout again.

Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Offsets

In June–July, once the leaves have died back, lift a clump and separate the offsets. Replant them straight away or in September.

Seed

It self-seeds freely. You can also sow in autumn in a pot left outdoors; seedlings take several years to flower.

Star-of-Bethlehem: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −25 °C.

• Very hardy, to about −25 °C: in Belgium no protection is needed.
• The leaves sometimes appear as early as autumn and tolerate frost without any problem.
• In a pot: leave it outdoors in a spot where the compost does not become waterlogged.

Diseases and pests

• Spreading: Quickly forms many offsets and self-seeds, so it becomes a nuisance in a border. Plant it in grass or a wild corner and remove the seed pods.
• Closed flowers: In the morning and in dull weather the flowers stay shut. This is normal; a sunny spot gives the best display.
• Untidy leaves: The leaves already die back during flowering. Combine it with later plants that hide the fading foliage.
• Bulb rot: In heavy, waterlogged soil the bulbs can rot. Choose a spot that does not flood in winter.

Through the year

• March: The leaves keep growing. Nothing to do.
• April: Flowering: white stars that open around midday. Bees visit.
• May: Last flowers. Cut off seed pods if you want to prevent self-seeding.
• June: The leaves die back. The grass may now be mown. Lift crowded clumps.
• July: Summer rest: the bulb lies dry in the ground.
• September: Plant bulbs 5–8 cm deep.
• October: Ideal planting time, also in grass.
• November: Last planting time. The new leaves sometimes appear already.

Edible and useful

Not edible. All parts of star-of-Bethlehem are poisonous, especially the bulbs, which look like little onions; the flowers and the vase water are poisonous too, to people and pets. Never store the bulbs with the vegetables and keep a vase out of reach of children and cats. If any is swallowed, call a poison centre (in Belgium 070 245 245) or your doctor at once.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Did you know?

• The name Ornithogalum comes from Greek: ‘ornis’ means bird and ‘gala’ means milk. The Dutch name ‘vogelmelk’ is a literal translation.
• The French name ‘dame d’onze heures’, lady of eleven o’clock, refers to the flowers, which only open around eleven in the morning.
• In North America it was introduced as a garden plant and has become a troublesome lawn weed in many places.