Ornithogalum dubium – Orange Star (Star of Bethlehem)

Brighten your home with the solar radiance of the Orange Star! This exceptional bulbous plant captivates the eye with its clusters of star-shaped flowers in rare, intense shades of orange or yellow. Renowned for its record-breaking longevity, the Ornithogalum unfolds its buds successively, offering a floral display that lasts for several weeks. Already in bloom in our garden centres, it brings a touch of modernity and warmth to your spring décor and Easter celebrations.

Characteristics

• Foliage: Features a rosette of fleshy basal leaves in soft green, which beautifully frame the upright floral stem.
• Flowering: Deploys dense clusters of star-shaped flowers with silky petals, primarily in vibrant orange or lemon yellow tones.
• Light: Requires bright light; even tolerates some direct morning sun to maintain its colour intensity and stem strength.
• Habit: Presents an upright and graphic silhouette; a slender shape that stands out for its verticality in any arrangement.
• Usage in Quebec: Primarily grown as a high-profile seasonal flowering indoor plant. Its excellent durability also makes it a highly prized cut flower for spring bouquets.

Use

• Types of Use: Enhances your modern centrepieces, decorates your mantels, or serves as an original and long-lasting gift for your hosts.
• Decorative Benefits: Provides a bold pop of colour and an elegant vertical structure. Its luminous bloom pairs perfectly with contemporary and minimalist décors.

Care

• Watering: Water moderately. Allow the surface of the soil to dry slightly between waterings to avoid saturating the bulb and to promote healthy blooming.
• Potting soil and soil type: Thrives in a high-quality indoor plant potting mix that is rich, lightweight, and well-drained.
• Fertilizing: Boost the development of the remaining flower buds by applying a flowering plant fertilizer every 15 days until the top of the cluster opens.
• Placement: Choose a well-lit area and avoid dark spots that could cause the flower stem to stretch or the flower colour to fade.
• Pro Tip: Gently remove individual flowers as they fade to direct energy toward the upper buds and prolong the overall life of the floral display.