{"product_id":"ornithogalum-balansae-star-of-bethlehem","title":"Ornithogalum balansae - Star of Bethlehem","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThese early spring bulbs add a sprinkle of stardust to your garden or outdoor space with small, white, star-shaped flowers. Hardy through most of the UK down to -15°C.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBring starlight to your garden with these gorgeous white blooms. Clusters of these small six-petalled blooms will bring in a little brightness in mid-spring each year. The compact Star of Bethlehem plant will do well in containers and in the ground too, so is ideal for balconies, window boxes or smaller gardens. Just make sure it's planted in well-draining soil, in a spot where it can get some sun, and it'll be adding interest to your space in no time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100.088%; height: 74.7812px;\" data-sheets-root=\"1\" border=\"1\" dir=\"ltr\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xhtml\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e \u003ccol style=\"width: 26.4184%;\" width=\"97\"\u003e \u003ccol style=\"width: 25%;\" width=\"92\"\u003e \u003ccol style=\"width: 48.5816%;\" width=\"178\"\u003e \u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 74.7812px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 74.7812px;\" data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"Perennial\"}'\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePerennial bulb\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 74.7812px;\" data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"Flower: clustered flowers on taller stems\"}'\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFlower: from bulbs, bushy growth\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 74.7812px;\" data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"Flowers June to August\"}'\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\nFlowers in spring, usually March - April, foliage can last until early summer.\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cem\u003eOrnithogalum balansae\u003c\/em\u003e (bird-milk flower, Balansa's variety)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Name\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eStar of Bethlehem, Balansa's Star of Bethlehem, Dwarf Star of Bethlehem, Rockery Ornithogalum, Pyrenees Star of Bethlehem, Dove's Dung\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eNative to Northeastern Turkey, the Balkans and Georgia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePruning Tips\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eDeadhead blooms to keep it tidy and stop seed spreading everywhere; let the foliage die back naturally.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWildlife Value\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eIts flowers attract bees, hoverflies and other pollinators\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePositioning\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003ePrefers full sun to partial shade. Plant in well-drained soil in borders, rock gardens, or naturalised drifts. Suitable for containers if proper drainage is provided. Can grow in both exposed and sheltered positions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eMake sure the soil is moist whilst your Ornithogalum is growing; outdoors in the UK it is unlikely to need much extra water unless it is unseasonably dry in April. Make sure the soil is drier after it has bloomed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003ePlant in well-draining soil. Avoid heavy clay soil which retain too much moisture for the Star of Bethlehem. It will prefer a slightly alkaline to neutral pH.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eFeed with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser at the start of the growing season to encourage strong growth and vibrant blooms.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePet-safe\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eNo, this plant is toxic and care should be taken when handling it. Keep out of reach of pets and children.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSprouts Top Tips\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThis plant is adapted to rocky environments in its natural habitat, so keep in mind when you plant it that it won't like puddles!\u003cbr\u003eWhile it is fine with lower temperatures, it will rot if it is both soaking wet and freezing cold so make sure the soil still drains well in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sprouts of Bristol","offers":[{"title":"9cm","offer_id":55079562019197,"sku":"7927701826371","price":5.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0490\/2774\/3905\/files\/ornithogalum-balansae-star-of-bethlehem-878246.jpg?v=1736461652","url":"https:\/\/sproutsofbristol.pro\/products\/ornithogalum-balansae-star-of-bethlehem","provider":"Sprouts of Bristol","version":"1.0","type":"link"}