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Bulbs

Ornithogalum pyrenaicum

spiked star of Bethlehem

A clump-forming, bulbous perennial to around 60cm in height with narrow, glaucous grey-green foliage. In June and July the foliage dies back and long, tall spikes holding clusters of greenish-white buds open to greenish-white, star-shaped flowers

Other common names

French asparagus
French sparrow grass
see morePrussian asparagus
Pyrenean star of Bethlehem
spiked ornithogalum
spiked star of Bethlehem

Synonyms

Ornithogalum sulphureum

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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)

Botanical details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
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: W & C Europe to Med

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant bulbs in autumn, 10cm deep, in well-drained soil in full sun; tolerant of partial shade. If sown in situ, plants may take up to five years to produce flowers

Propagation

Propagate by seed. If sowing in pots, leave, undisturbed, for the first two years with the occasional feed of liquid fertiliser. After this, divide the bulbs into two or three per pot, leaving to grow for another year before planting outside

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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