Gagea lutea

RHS Plant Profile

yellow star of Bethlehem

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

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years

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
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free