Where to Find Star of Bethlehem Bulbs for Sale

Star of Bethlehem bulbs, also known as Ornithogalum bulbs, are a popular choice for gardens thanks to their delicate, star-shaped white flowers that bloom in spring. If you’re looking to add these charming flowers to your own garden, you may be wondering where you can find Star of Bethlehem bulbs for sale The good news is that there are a few great options for purchasing these bulbs! Here is an overview of some of the best places to buy Star of Bethlehem bulbs

Online Bulb Retailers

One of the most convenient ways to purchase Star of Bethlehem bulbs is through online bulb retailers These websites offer a wide selection of bulb varieties that you can easily browse and purchase from the comfort of your home Two great online retailers to check out are Terra Ceia Farms and Brent and Becky’s Bulbs.

Terra Ceia Farms has a specific category for Ornithogalum bulbs on their website, making it easy to find Star of Bethlehem varieties. They carry popular types like ‘Silver Bells’ and ‘Orange Pekoe’. Their bulbs are sold individually or in money-saving bulk quantities. Terra Ceia Farms ships nationwide and guarantees their bulbs will arrive in good condition.

Brent and Becky’s Bulbs is another great online bulb store that sells the Ornithogalum dubium variety of Star of Bethlehem. Their website has useful information about the bulbs, such as when they bloom, how tall they are, and where they can grow. Brent and Becky’s has been selling good flower bulbs at fair prices for a long time. They also ship nationwide right at the optimal planting time.

When you order bulbs online, you can have unusual or hard-to-find Star of Bethlehem types sent right to your door. If you want to buy the most popular bulbs online, you should do so early because they sell out quickly.

Local Nurseries and Garden Centers

Visiting your local nurseries and garden centers is another great option for finding Star of Bethlehem bulbs in person. The benefit of shopping locally is you can see and inspect the bulbs before purchasing them. The selection at local stores may be more limited compared to online shops, but you can often find common Star of Bethlehem varieties.

Ornithogalum bulbs should show up at your local nurseries in the fall. That’s when most spring-blooming bulbs get put on sale. Star of Bethlehem bulbs are often sold in the fall at garden centers at stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot. The bulbs will come in bags and be labeled with information like flower color, plant height, and bloom time to help you decide which ones to buy.

If you need help choosing the right Star of Bethlehem bulbs for your garden, ask someone who works in a nursery. You could also plan your trip to the nursery around the visit of experienced master gardeners who can give you planting and growing advice.

Mail Order Bulb Catalogs

For the widest selection of Star of Bethlehem varieties, consider ordering from mail order bulb catalogs. Reputable bulb suppliers publish catalogs filled with page after page of bulb offerings, including many types of Ornithogalum bulbs.

Two highly regarded mail order bulb companies are John Scheepers Beauty from Bulbs and Colorblends. Their catalogs feature photos and descriptions to help you determine which Star of Bethlehem varieties best fit your garden’s color scheme and blooming season. You can request a catalog and order bulbs conveniently online or by mail.

The benefit of mail order catalogs is the extensive selection of unique and hard-to-find bulbs. You’ll discover Star of Bethlehem varieties beyond the common white-flowering types. For example, John Scheepers sells Ornithogalum bulbs with petals in shades of green, orange, and yellow.

When to Buy Star of Bethlehem Bulbs

Star of Bethlehem bulbs are typically available for sale in the late summer and fall. However, you’ll want to purchase and plant them in the fall before the ground freezes for best results.

The optimal months for planting Star of Bethlehem bulbs are September through November. Bulb retailers and nurseries stock up on inventory during this time period to supply gardeners with fresh bulbs ready for fall planting.

If you buy too early, the bulbs may sprout and start growing before it’s time to get them in the ground. Buying late in the season runs the risk of selection being sold out. So aim for that September through November timeframe when shopping for Star of Bethlehem bulbs.

How to Select Quality Bulbs

When buying Star of Bethlehem bulbs, it’s important to pick out robust, healthy bulbs that will grow and bloom beautifully. Here are a few tips for selecting the best quality bulbs:

• Choose large bulbs that feel firm and heavy for their size, avoiding soft or lightweight bulbs.

• Look for bulbs with intact outer skins without gashes, mold, or signs of decay.

• Check that bulbs do not have sprouts already emerging, which can happen if they are stored improperly.

• For packaged bulbs, avoid bags with bulbs that are visibly damaged or dried out.

• If buying individually, inspect bulbs closely and hand select only top-quality ones.

• Pick bulbs that are suitable for planting in your USDA Hardiness Zone.

Taking a little time to carefully choose your bulbs will help ensure gardening success. Higher quality bulbs produce more impressive flowers and robust plants compared to poor quality bulbs.

Types of Star of Bethlehem Bulbs

There are a few different varieties of Ornithogalum bulbs that go by the common name Star of Bethlehem. Here are some of the most popular types you’ll come across when shopping:

• Ornithogalum dubium: This is the most readily available and affordable Star of Bethlehem variety. It has white petals with a green center stripe and grows 12-15 inches tall.

• Ornithogalum nutans: A taller variety, up to 18 inches. The flowers look like white stars with green stripes on the underside.

• Ornithogalum umbellatum: Also known as Summer Snowflake, it blooms later than most, in early summer. Green-striped white flowers on 15 inch stems.

• Ornithogalum thyrsoides: A low-growing type, under 6 inches tall. Clusters of petite white blooms with green central stripes.

There are also some unique ornamental varieties worth seeking out:

• Ornithogalum ‘Orange Pekoe’: Vibrant orange petals and yellow center.

• Ornithogalum ‘Silver Bells’: White flowers flushed with silvery-mauve undersides.

• Ornithogalum ‘Green Stars’: Apple green flowers with white edges.

Knowing the different Ornithogalum species and cultivars will help you pick the right Star of Bethlehem bulbs for your garden’s needs.

Caring for Star of Bethlehem Bulbs

Star of Bethlehem bulbs are hardy and relatively easy to grow. Here are some tips for planting and caring for them:

• Plant bulbs in the fall at a depth 2-3 times their height, spacing them 4-6 inches apart. They grow best in full sun to partial shade.

• Choose a site with well-draining soil; avoid soggy or overly wet soil that can rot bulbs.

• Fertilize lightly in early spring when shoots emerge. An all-purpose bulb fertilizer works well.

• Water regularly to keep soil moist, but not soaked, while plants are growing and blooming.

• Remove faded flower stems after blooming finishes to keep the area tidy.

• Allow the foliage to die back naturally; don’t cut it until it fully dries up in mid-summer. Foliage nourishes the bulbs for next year’s flowers.

• For colder climates, provide winter mulch after the ground freezes to protect bulb roots.

With proper planting and care, Star of Bethlehem bulbs will return and spread year after year, blanketing your garden with their stellar blooms each spring.

In Summary

Star of Bethlehem bulbs are sure to add a delightful presence to any garden with their white, star-shaped blossoms on tall, slender stems. You have lots of options for where to purchase these charming spring-blooming bulbs, whether ordering online, shopping local nurseries, or getting them through mail order catalogs. Aim to buy plump, healthy bulbs in the fall planting season for best results. Then give them the proper growing conditions and they will reward you with their sparkling flowers year after year. Happy gardening!