Common Name: Star of Bethlehem
Type: Bulb
Family: Asparagaceae
Native Range: South Africa
Zone: 6 to 10
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Description: Cream to light green
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Best grown in consistently moist, rich, well-draining soils in full sun to part shade. Appreciates afternoon shade in hot, humid climates. Hardy in Zones 6-10. Will slowly naturalize by bulb division in ideal conditions.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Ornithogalum regale, commonly called royal berg lily, is a bulbous perennial native to the northern Drakensberg mountains in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. In the wild these plants are found on nearly sheer cliff-sides in shallow, rocky soil, growing and blooming during the rainy summer and then going dormant during the winter. The plants reach 2-4' tall, with strap-like, glossy leaves emerging from the bulbs. The pendulous, bell-shaped flowers are 1-1.5" long, cream to light green in color, and held on strong flower stalks.
Genus name comes from the Greek words ornis meaning a bird and gala meaning milk for the white flowers.
The specific epithet regale means royal.
Problems
No major disease or pest problems reported. Bulbs may rot in heavy, poorly draining soil.
Uses
Bulb garden, rock garden, sunny mixed border.