Description
A protected species. Star of Bethlehem is a perennial of the hyacinth family. It grows wild in Europe; in Poland it is common in the south and west of the country and absent from the north-east.
Star of Bethlehem spreads vigorously, forming a carpet of white star-shaped flowers about 2 cm across, striped green on the outside, gathered 6–20 together in corymbs on stalks 20–30 cm long.
It flowers in May. When the flowers appear, the long basal leaves begin to wither and die back. The flowers open only on sunny days.
Ornithogalums are bulbous plants that have long been grown in gardens. They are excellent for edging borders and for rock gardens.
Requirements
The plant is very undemanding. It does best in sunny places in light, well-aerated soil, but also tolerates other light and soil conditions.
Propagation
Propagation is by offset bulbs, which it produces in huge numbers. Plant the bulbs at the turn of September and October about 8–10 cm deep.