Ipheion 'Alberto Castillo'

RHS Plant Profile

starflower 'Alberto Castillo'

Synonyms

Ipheion uniflorum 'Alberto Castillo'

Bulbs

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A deciduous perennial bulb to 20cm in height, with narrow, strap-shaped pale green foliage. Upright stems of solitary, fragrant, white flowers with faint green line running down the centre of each petal appear in late winter to spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: 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): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Tufted
Genus: Ipheion are small bulbous perennials with onion-scented, narrowly strap-shaped leaves and sweet-scented star-shaped flowers in late winter and spring
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant 8cm deep in autumn in moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil that does not dry out. Provide protective winter mulch in colder areas. In containers best grown in peat-free, loam-based compost with added leaf mould and grit. Under glass grow in bright filtered light

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in pots in a cold frame when ripe (cultivars may not come true from seed) or by division in summer when dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free