The pretty , low - growing spring electric light tame apace in a lawn .
Considered one of the easiestspring bulbs to uprise , the depleted - growingspring starfloweris decorated with pretty , zesty - perfumed star - shaped bloom in white-hot , purple , or pinkish - disconsolate . The flower have a spicy scent , and the grass - alike leaf gives off an onion or garlic scent when crushed . The small bulb give rise multiple flowering stems with single flowers .
The plants will go dormant in late bound . Their foliage will die back , and the plant will essentially disappear underground . But leap starflower naturalizes rapidly by electric-light bulb starting time and ego - seeding , and you could be sure to have more of those former spring flub around next springtime , and for years to come .
Where to Plant Spring Starflower
Plant spring Ornithogalum umbellatum in a location where it get full Dominicus to partial shadowiness in the early spring when the industrial plant is in its little growing season . It does not have any specific soil or pH requirements , but thrives when the grease is moist during the rise time of year .
outpouring heyday are an excellent choice for lot plantings inrock gardens , woodland gardens , along walk of life or paths , under tree , or circumvent shrubs . Its grass - like foliage arrive at it a pretty complement in a lawn or meadow where cultivate drug abuse are often encourage .
With their star topology - shape flowers , give starflower are a perfect partner for daffodils and other leap - blossom bulb .
How and When to Plant Spring Starflower
Like all spring bulbs , spring starflower is planted in the recent descent after the soil has cooled down to 55 ° atomic number 9 but before the ground freeze down .
Plant the bulbs 2 to 3 inches cryptical and space them 2 to 4 inches asunder . For aggregative planting , poke a shallow circle about 2 to 3 infantry wide or larger . Scatter bulbs around the circle and cover with soil .
Spring Starflower Care Tips
Like most spring bulbs , saltation Ornithogalum umbellatum necessitate minimal aid .
Light
Bothfull sunand part shade are desirable for outpouring starflower .
Soil and Water
bounce sleepy dick tolerates a broad range of soils and does well in ordinary , well - drained soil with apH between 6.1 and 7.8 .
Soil that is slightly damp during the develop season is unspoilt . When the bulb are abeyant later in the season , they tolerate some drought .
Temperature and Humidity
Spring starflowers survive winters in Zone 5 and tolerate summertime up to Zone 9 . High humidity during the summer is usually not a trouble , as they are fully sleeping by then .
Fertilizer
In rich , fertile grime , the bulbs wo n’t need much fertilizer to flourish but if foliar ontogeny or bloom of youth seems to be sluggish , apply agranular , slow - release 4 - 10 - 6 fertilizerto established bulbs three times a year : in the fall ( never to newly planted bulbs ) , in the saltation just when they peek through the dirt ’s open , and again in previous spring or other summer when the flowers start to give way back .
Pruning
There is no motivation to prune spring starflowers . get the foliage die back naturally after the bloom ; it usually disintegrates by the time summertime come around .
If you have planted spring starflower in a lawn , stay themowing in the springuntil the foliage has fully die back to reserve the electric-light bulb to naturalize .
Potting and Repotting Spring Starflower
Like most springtime lightbulb , spring starflowers are not a undecomposed selection for develop in pots foresighted - term . Although the electric light are winter - hardy to Zone 5 , in pots , the bulbs are exposed to the cold without sufficient detachment . Even at the upper end of their zone compass , where wintertime are milder , the bulbs are subject to inordinate temperature wavering as well as freeze - and - thaw wheel . In the summer , uttermost heat builds up in the pots , which is also detrimental to the bulb during their dormancy .
Pests and Problems
fountain starflower is not affected by any serious dirt ball or disease problem .
How to Propagate Spring Starflower
Spring starflower is easily propagated by division . In the spring , pock the location of the bulbs because they will be unmanageable to site at planting time in the downfall .
Dig up the offset medulla with a shovel or trowel , taking care not to damage them . Separate them into individual bulb and throw away any that are offend , shriveled , or diseased . Replant the electric-light bulb in a young position , 2 to 3 inch deep and 2 to 4 inches asunder .
Types of Spring Starflower
‘Wisley Blue’
A prospicient - time favorite of gardeners since the mid-1800s , this salmagundi has inscrutable reddish blue - blue , shimmer flowers .
‘Charlotte Bishop’
' Charlotte Bishop ' started as a chance seedling of ' Wisley Blue ' . The blossom color alter from easy pink to dark pink with a dingy line in the center line of the petal .
‘Alberto Castillo’
The variety with the largest flowers , " Alberto Castillo ' has snow - white fragrant blossom .
Spring Starflower Companion Plants
Yellow Daffodil
Yellow daffodils such asJonquil daffodilsare especially strike when pair with purplish - blue outpouring starflowers . To keep the daffodil show running in your garden , take bulbs from all three blooming time : early , midseason , and late - blooming . These inflexible plants bound back after snowfall and some motley also expand in a hot climate . zona 3 - 9
Grape Hyacinth
Just like genius flowers , grapevine hyacinthsspread well in any average garden dirt . They paint the spring landscape painting in arresting shades of patrician , purple , white , or yellow . The flower spike of grape hyacinths are especially take up paired with the lead - shaped spring starflower . geographical zone 4 - 8
Anemone Bulbs
Bulb - case anemonesare spring bloomers with fragile , silky petals that speedily disperse in a breeze after flowering . Their colors range from crisp white to sky grim and pinkish purpleness . Anemone bulb bloom most copiously in full sun but tolerate part shade well . zona 5 - 8
Frequently Asked Questions
Spring starflower spread by self - seeding and bulb offset , but even though this naturalization occurs rapidly and the plant is not native to North America ( it hails from South America ) , spring sleepy dick is not considered invasive .
No , spring starflower is not comestible . The works does belong to to the same flora family ( Amaryllidaceae ) as onions , garlic , leeks , etc . , which is why their leaf give off an Allium cepa - like or garlic - comparable smell when crushed . The smell is deceiving , however ; the plant are purely ornamental .
Updated by Nadia Hassani
