Spring Starflower – Identifying

Q: I discovered a flower growing in the back yard of my home. I’d like to plant more, but I don’t know what it is. The leaves appear first in March followed by small white flowers with a touch of blue/violet near the center.

The flowers last nearly a month and then the entire plant dies back until the following March. The plant is about 5-6 inches tall and I found it growing in dappled shade.

A: Theresa Schrum replies: “The flower is Ipheion uniflorum, aka Spring Starflower. You can learn more about it at this web site:

Horticopia

This is a delightful little bulb that I also have growing in my yard. It spreads nicely each year and can be dug and divided after blooming. It can be found in most bulb catalogs or on the net. Just use any search engine using the botanical name above. The plant will also grow in full sun, but does require a well-drained soil.”

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