Ornithogalum nutans

RHS Plant Profile

drooping star of Bethlehem

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Other common names

nodding star of Bethlehem

Bulbs

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A perennial with strap-shaped leaves with a silvery central veins. Erect stems to 45cm bear one-sided racemes of up to 15 nodding, bell-shaped white flowers 3cm in width, with a green stripe on the outside of each tepal

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, 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

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or 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

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Tufted
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: Bulgaria, Greece,Turkey

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant 10cm deep in autumn in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in autumn or spring, in containers in a cold frame or separate offsets when dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free