About
A bulbous perennial to 30cm tall, with narrowly lance-shaped leaves and dense racemes of conspicuous orange or yellow flowers 2.5cm across, sometimes with a dark centre, in winter and spring.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toSouth Africa (Cape)
ToxicityHarmful 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
Care notes
CultivationPlant in spring, water well when in growth. Lift and overwinter frost free place. Alternatively grow in containers in peat-free, loam-based compost, keep dry when dormant and re-pot in spring
PruningTrim off dead foliage
PropagationPropagate by seed as soon as ripe in the autumn or sow in spring. Remove offsets when dormant. Further bulb propagation advice
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free