Create Your Garden

Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem)

Star of Bethlehem, Grass Lily, Nap-at-Noon, Eleven-o'clock Lady, Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon , Sleepy Dick, Summer snowflake, Ten-o'clock Lady

Ornithogalum umbellatum,Star of Bethlehem, Grass Lily, Nap-at-Noon, Eleven-o'clock Lady, mid spring flowers, late spring flowers

Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem) is a bulbous perennial bearing pretty racemes of star-shaped white flowers, green on the outside, in late spring to early summer. The flowers open only if enough sunlight is present. During dull weather, they close to display the green exteriors of their petals. Each stem bears up to 16-20 starry white flowers arranged in loose umbels. The foliage of linear leaves, adorned with a white mid-vein, fades as the flowers emerge. Star of Bethlehem is a vigorous naturalizer, often spreading rapidly by offsets. Best planted in areas where this plant will not disturb other plants.

  • Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm). Naturalizes well where happy.
  • Thrives in moderately fertile, moist, and well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Some tolerance for dry soils once established.
  • Great in grass, meadows, woodlands, or underplanting roses and shrubs.
  • Pest and disease free. Deer and rabbit resistant
  • All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested, and the sap may irritate the skin. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.
  • Native to northern Africa, western Asia, and Europe. Once established, Ornithogalum umbellatum spreads across the forest floor and displaces many U.S. species of native spring ephemeral plants.
  • Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
  • Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Splendid Ornithogalum


A member of the Hyacinth family, Ornithogalum (Star of Bethlehem) are bulbous perennials grown for their clusters of typically star-shaped, white flowers in spring or summer, depending on the species. They quickly form large clumps of grassy or strap-like leaves.. However, some basic rules need to be followed to enjoy their splendid flowers.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 10
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Ornithogalum
Common names Star of Bethlehem
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Depth 3" - 6"
(8cm - 15cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Ornithogalum (Star of Bethlehem) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Ornithogalum balansae (Pyrenees Star of Bethlehem)
Ornithogalum arabicum (Arabian Star Flower)
Ornithogalum thyrsoides (Chincherinchee)
Ornithogalum magnum (Star of Bethlehem)
Ornithogalum dubium (Star of Bethlehem)
Ornithogalum nutans (Drooping Star of Bethlehem)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Ornithogalum (Star of Bethlehem)
Native Plant Alternatives to Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem)
Native Plant Alternatives to Ornithogalum nutans (Drooping Star of Bethlehem)
Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Splendid Ornithogalum
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 10
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Ornithogalum
Common names Star of Bethlehem
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Depth 3" - 6"
(8cm - 15cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Ornithogalum (Star of Bethlehem) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone