Gagea lutea

RHS Plant Profile
yellow star of Bethlehem

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Gagea lutea?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
yellow star of Bethlehem visionspictures.com
yellow star of Bethlehem visionspictures.com

Synonyms

Ornithogalum luteum

Bulbs

A native wildflower found in scattered locations throughout the country. Each bulb produces a single, narrow, glossy, dark green leaf and a single flower stem 10-20cm high topped with a small umbel of yellow, star-shaped flowers in March and April, providing an early food source for bees

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

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
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Liliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Eurasia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Naturally occuring in moist soils found in damp woodland, hedges, rough pasture or near water. Needs humus-rich, moist but never waterlogged soil and shade in the hottest part of the year. Will naturalise in woodland or grass that is not too vigorous

Propagation

See bulb propagation

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free