A to Z Info on the Star of Bethlehem Plant
The Star of Bethlehem plant, also known as Snowdrop and Nap-at-Noon, is a plant with delicate white flowers. The scientific name of the Star of Bethlehem is Ornithogalum umbellatum. The plant is supposed to have been introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant and it is endemic to the Middle East and Eastern Europe. There are many who love the elegant daintiness of the flower and choose to grow it for the fragrant blooms. The plant has long and elegant leaves but the real show-stoppers are the clusters of white flowers on the curving stalks. An interesting detail about the plant is that the flowers emerge in full bloom in the morning and close by noon.
Tips for growing the plant
Star of Bethlehem plant is typically grown from a bulb although sowing seeds outside after the weather turns warm also works.
In finding a good location for the plant in your garden remember that the plant grows to a height of 6 to 12 inches. A gap of 3-6 inches is recommended between bulbs. The bulb has to be placed in a hole that is twice its height in depth.
The plant does well in soil with pH levels ranging from 6.1 to 7.8 which makes it mildly acidic, neutral or mildly alkaline. Loamy soil is the best suited for this species. If you have soil that is clay-like loosen it by adding loam and store bought potting soil, perlite or peat moss.
The Star of Bethlehem plant needs full sun mixed with partial shade. It is recommended that the plant get four hours of sun light a day for a full display of flowers.
The area where the seeds or bulbs are planted should have good drainage. Water logging at the roots of the plant is not good for the plant. The plant does well in humid conditions but overwatering is to be avoided.
The plant is zoned as being hardy in zones 4a to 10b meaning it can handle fairly low temperatures.
The plant and foliage become dormant after the flowering season in spring and summer and so by mid-to-late summer the leaves are likely to be droopy in some places.
Things to watch out for
The main problem that many gardeners have with this plant is that it can be very invasive. The Star of Bethlehem is known to take-over not just yards but whole neighborhoods. So, if you want a profusion of seasonal white flowers you are in luck. However, if you are hoping for contained and well demarcated gardening, be prepared for the challenges that the Star of Bethlehem plant will pose. It is said to grow between bricks and jump in the neighborhood gardens and this wildness can be a source of tension to many gardeners.
The invasiveness also means that it is hard for other neighboring plants to survive with the Star of Bethlehem. Given its encroaching tendencies it can make it very hard for other species to flourish alongside. A carefully landscaped garden in which color schemes have been planned and executed should probably not include this plant as it can completely destroy such plans.
One other concern with the Star of Bethlehem plant is that parts of it can be toxic if ingested. So, people with children and pets will need to be careful that there is no careless eating of any part of this plant. Some people say that they get a skin irritation around the plant but these cases seem relatively rare.
There are no known illnesses or diseases associated with the plant.