Ornithogalum dubium

RHS Plant Profile

star of Bethlehem

Other common names

geeltjienkerientjee, orange star flower, yellow chinkerinchee

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A bulbous perennial to 30cm tall, with narrowly lance-shaped leaves and dense racemes of showy orange or yellow flowers 2.5cm across, sometimes with a dark centre, in winter and spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: 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): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
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 (Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in spring, water well when in growth. Lift and overwinter frost free place. Alternatively grow in containers in peat-free, loam-based compost, keep dry when dormant and re-pot in spring

Propagation

Propagate by seed as soon as ripe in the autumn or sow in spring. Remove offsets when dormant. Further bulb propagation advice

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

Trim off dead foliage

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free