Sternbergia lutea

RHS Plant Profile
winter daffodil

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winter daffodil RHS

Other common names

fall daffodil, lily of the field, yellow amaryllis, yellow starflower

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A clump-forming bulbous perennial to 15cm in height, with narrow, dark green leaves and solitary deep yellow, goblet-shaped flowers in autumn

Position

Full sun

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
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Sternbergia are bulbous perennials with linear or strap-shaped basal leaves and solitary crocus-like flowers on leafless stems in autumn, late winter or spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mediterranean to C Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant 15cm deep in late summer in any moderately fertile, sharply drained soil. Protect from excessive winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown with moderate heat as soon as ripe. Separate offsets when dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to narcissus bulb flies, large narcissus bulb flies, and narcissus eelworms

Diseases

May be susceptible to daffodil viruses