Overview

Chamaelirium luteum is a perennial herb in the genus Chamaelirium, part of the Melanthiaceae family. It typically grows around 0.5 m tall. Chamaelirium luteum grows best in full sun, and tolerates sandy and loamy soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. It is native to Ontario.

About

Chamaelirium luteum is a perennial herb in the Melanthiaceae that typically reaches about 0.5 m and flowers in June to July. Known as blazing star (also devil's bit, false unicorn, fairy wand and helonias), it is native to Ontario. It prefers full sun and sandy or loamy soils that remain moist but are well drained. Fully hardy in UK gardens (H7), it can be grown outdoors year-round.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Chamaelirium

About the genus

Chamaelirium is a genus of flowering plants containing the single species Chamaelirium luteum, commonly known as blazing-star, devil's bit, false unicorn, fairy wand, and helonias. It is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States.

In the garden

Chamaelirium luteum is a perennial herb in the Melanthiaceae, native to Ontario and commonly sold as blazing star. Plants are compact, reaching roughly 0.5 m, and they produce their flowers in June to July. The species is suited to temperate gardens and is listed for USDA zones 4–8. Plant into a sunny site where soil is sandy or loamy and can be kept moist yet free-draining; avoid soils that sit waterlogged. It performs best in full sun and will tolerate UK winter conditions as a fully hardy (H7) perennial. Use a well-drained planting hole and maintain consistent moisture through the growing season rather than allowing the soil to dry out completely. In practice place Chamaelirium luteum at the front to middle of a sunny, moist border where its 0.5 m stature provides a restrained upright note among taller perennials. Regularly check soil moisture in hot, dry spells to prevent stress, and allow the crown to remain at soil level through winter. At about 0.5 m tall, its compact, upright habit makes it a discreet structural element in sunny, moisture-retentive plantings.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Chamaelirium

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Chamaelirium luteum size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

perennial herb

Height

0.5 m

Native to

Ontario

Frequently asked questions