Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star-of-Bethlehem, Grass Lily)
Botanical Information
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Ornithogalum |
| Species | umbellatum |
| Category | Bulbs, Perennials |
| Origin | Central Europe, Northwestern Africa and Southwestern Asia. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 4 - 9 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 2a - Requires cool season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H4 - H7 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -35 - (-1) |
| Temperature (°F) | -30 - 30 |
| Height | 15 - 30 cm |
| Spread | 30 - 60 cm |
| Growth | Fast |
| Flowering Period | May, June |
Description and Growing Information
| Propagation | Self-sown seedlings. |
| Cultivation | Requires considerable moisture during winter and spring, but can tolerate summer drought. It can be grown in a woodland garden as semi-shade is preferable. It is hardy to zone 5, and can become weedy. The plant is toxic. |
| Notable Specimens | The A.M. (Mac) Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. |
| Leaf Description | It has six to ten leaves, linear with a white line on the upper surface, up to 30 cm long and 8 mm broad, and a scape of 10-30 cm. |
| Flower Description | The flowers group in a corymbose raceme with 6-20 flowers, and are white with a green stripe outside. |
Photographs
