How to Grow and Care for Spring Starflowers

Ipheion uniflorum

Spring starflower, Ipheion uniflorum, formerly classified as Triteleia uniflora, is a perennial bulb in the Amaryllidaceae or amaryllis family.

Its stature may be petite, but the masses of blue, pink, purple, or white star-like blossoms are a welcome sight in the spring garden.

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Growers in Zones 5 to 9, like me, are energized when the snow melts and the first intrepid shoots reach skyward.

Read on to learn how to grow and care for spring starflowers in your early-season landscape.

Each spring starflower stem bears a single, delicate, six-pointed blossom measuring from less than one inch to one and a half inches wide, with a fragrance that hints of spice.

If you rub the grass-like foliage, it emits a scent like onion grass.

Native to Argentina and Uruguay, I. uniflorum was likely brought to England by plant collectors in the early 1800s.

Hybridization has broadened the color palette to include pink and brighter shades of blue and purple.

Today, bulbs are widely available, and their popularity as companions for other spring flowers has led to their naturalization across Australia, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, and the United States.

Starflowers are versatile early-season bloomers, awakening beds from winter slumber.

Sow them among the daffodils and tulips and if you grow in abundance you can cut bouquets for lush seasonal vase arrangements.

As edging, they dress walkways and perimeter borders with ribbons of starry blooms.

Avoid growing these bulbs in containers unless you can provide winter protection, as thaw and freeze cycles may disrupt root development and adversely affect foliar development and blooming.