Ornithogalum saundersiae

RHS Plant Profile

giant chincherinchee

Bulbs Conservatory Greenhouse

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A tender, bulbous perennial with erect, strap-shaped, dark green leaves to 60cm long. In winter or spring it produces stems to 1m tall, bearing white flowers with prominent black ovaries; the flowers are good for cutting

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets if eaten (dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Ornithogalum are bulbous perennials with linear or strap-shaped basal leaves and racemes, sometimes contracted, of star-shaped or cup-shaped, white, yellow or orange flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: South Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in paeat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light with shade from hot sun. When in growth, water freely; keep dry when dormant. Repot annually in spring

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring. Remove offsets when dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse
Cut flowers

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free