Ornithogalum nutans

Ornithogalum nutans is a graceful bulbous plant from warm climates, bearing large flowers with 6 petals. The flowers are silver-white on the outside and greenish on the inside. The flowers are carried by long stems measuring 40cm (16in). The plant is robust and will naturalise in favourable conditions. It prefers rather calcareous, poor, rocky, well-drained soils. This reliable plant is ideal in flower beds, rockeries, and pots.

Ornithogalum nutans, known as the drooping star of Bethlehem, belongs to the Asparagaceae family (it was formerly classified in the Liliaceae family). This species is native to southern Europe. It is also sometimes called Honorius nutans. It can be found in warm and stony places, such as dry meadows, vineyards, and woodlands, in limestone soil. The plant forms an ovate bulb, buried shallowly. Between March and May, this bulb produces long, bright green ribbon-like leaves, which are arched and quite flexible. They measure up to 40cm (16in) in length. They are quickly followed by an elongated flowering stem, reaching between 30 and 50cm (12 and 20in), bearing 10 to 15 flowers with a diameter of 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in). The flowers are slightly drooping. They are often clustered on the same side of the stem. The flowers bear 6 silvery-white pointed petals that are strongly marked with green on the inside. These 6 "petals" are 3 sepals and 3 true petals of the same appearance, collectively referred to as tepals.

It is a robust and reliable plant, with a simple and wild character. Very hardy despite its Mediterranean origins, it can withstand temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F) without any problems. Its main enemy is humidity. Heavy and clayey soil can easily cause the bulbs to rot. It is best to plant the bulbs in a warm, even stony, and preferably calcareous location, such as a dry border, a rock garden, or a lean meadow. If your soil tends to be too wet, try planting it at the base of a south or southwest-facing wall, adding draining materials such as pumice. It tolerates poor soils. It naturalises very easily once the conditions are met, with its flowers multiplying every year. 

The foliage disappears just after flowering, which tends to leave a space in the flower bed. You can hide this gap with a leafy plant, such as a Erodium chrysanthum. Other rock garden plants like the rambling anthericum (which flowers in June-July), 'Elfenbeinglanz' rock rose, or Karvinski daisy will also make good companions for this delightful bulbous plant. It will also be perfect in a container with other early spring bulbs, such as muscari.