star of bethlehem -ornithogalum

This tiny flower puts in a brief appearance in late Spring, after which it dies away completely until the grassy leaves re-emerge early the following Spring.  Nearly all varieties are characterized by green stripes on the back of each petal, some have a nice vanilla scent,  and most are hardy in this zone as long as they’re planted fairly deep–I put the bulbs 4″-6″ underground.  One variety, O. caudatum, stays indoors because it must be planted with the bulb half out of the soil which, I’m sure, would make it vulnerable during our winters.