Ornithogalum thyrsoides

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wonder flower

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Other common names

chincherinchee

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A bulbous perennial to 60cm tall, with narrowly strap-shaped leaves and dense racemes of green-centred white flowers 2cm across in spring and early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–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
S Africa (Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in spring for summer flowering; in growth water freely and lift after flowering - keep frost free over winter. Indoors and under glass grow in large containers of peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light with shade from hot sun, when in growth water freely, keep dry when dormant and repot annually in spring; can also be planted indoors or under glass in autumn for spring flowering

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring; for bulb propagation remove offsets when dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free