Have you ever been fascinated by the name of a flower, looked it up in your gardening encyclopedia, and meant to order it but never got around to it? That is what happened to Chincherinchee (Ornithogalum thyrsoides) and me.
More than 3 years ago, a good friend of mine who is a gardener on a Long Island estate told me about this beautiful flower and suggested I try some bulbs.
The name has fascinated me as much as the flower. But it was not until this spring, while attending one of the flower shows, that I picked up some of the bulbs.
The Advantage Of Raising Ornithogalum
I planted, watched, and waited, and it was not too long before strap-like leaves about 12” to 14” inches long, followed by beautiful blossoms on 18-inch stems, appeared.
One advantage of raising Ornithogalum is that it is a long-lasting flower and may be left on the plant or cut and used in arrangements.
Recently, I made a table arrangement using red poppies, white Ornithogalum, and blue bachelor buttons.
These flowers are imported in large quantities from South Africa. It requires some time to get them here, but they open when placed in water and last for many days.
Growing Wild in Africa
Ornithogalum grows wild in Africa and Europe and belongs to the lily (Liliaceae) family. The word is derived from ornithos, a bird, and gala, milk—the application of these terms is not clear to the eye or mind.
There are several varieties of Ornithogalum—some hardy, some tender. The hardy bulbs do well in sunny or semi-shaded locations in ordinary gardens and need only be lifted and separated when they show signs of being overcrowded.
The tender bulbs, or greenhouse variety, require a night temperature of 55° degrees Fahrenheit. Thyrsoides require soil containing two parts: sandy loam, one part leaf mold, and a free sprinkling of sand.
Growing and Flowering Season
They may be potted almost any time of the year in a large pot with the bulbs just under the soil’s surface. Set them aside to root.
Take care not to over water at this time. When growth is well under way, water freely throughout the growing and flowering season.
They are heavy feeders and should be given plenty of fertilizer. I prefer to use cow manure tea.
When the leaves begin to turn yellow, gradually withhold water, dry off the bulbs, and keep dry until repotting time.
Hardy Varieties
Hardy varieties are considered, by the English, one of the choicest summer-blooming bulbs for wild gardens.
A few of the hardy kinds are;
- Umbellatum, Star-of-Bethlehem, a pretty plant in rock gardens as it only grows about 9” inches high and has green and white flowers in May;
- Pyramidal, three feet high, white summer-blooming plant, and nutans, 12” inches, green and white, blooms in spring.
Tender kinds are:
- Arabicum, 2’ feet, white and fragrant, blooms in summer
- Caudatum, 3’ feet, green and white, blooms in spring or summer
- Thyrsoides, the chincherinchee
44659 by Gladys Reed Robinson