Bath Asparagus
Latin: Ornithogalum pyrenaicum
Other Names: Wild Asparagus, Spiked Star of Bethlehem
Distribution: It is now rare in the wild, but was once abundant in woodland around Bath.
Habitat: Prefers a moist site in sun or semi-shade.
Description: Perennial. It is a tall plant (up to 60cm), with white flower spikes fromJune to July.
Why not buy some grown in Britain from cultivated stock, plant in your own garden, and help boost numbers! See link to wildflowershop below.
Planting Instructions for Bulbs: Bath Asparagus bulbs should be planted in the autumn as soon as received. They are best planted where they can be left undisturbed. Plant with about 10cm of soil above the bulb, so that the soil covering does not dry out during the Spring. If the soil dries out, the plant may not have sufficient moisture to build up the bulb for flowering the following year.
Source
www.wildflowershop.co.uk
A further source of supply is World Seeds ( i.e. you get a packet of seeds and not bulbs )
Thier website notes the following:
Tall slender spikes of starry pale green and white flowers appear extremely early in the year, sometimes as early as Christmas. This rare and fascinating British native has the extraordinary quality of having young flower shoots which may be eaten as a vegetable, similar to asparagus. The common name "Bath Asparagus" comes from the fact it was once abundant near the English city of the same name.
SOWING ADVICE: SEEDS ARE BEST SOWN ON DELIVERY AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR, 3-4MM DEEP IN GOOD LOAMY COMPOST. LEAVE THEM IN A COOL PLACE AND PREVENT DRYING OUT. THE NATURAL TEMPERATURE INCREASE IN SPRING USUALLY CAUSES GERMINATION TO OCCUR. GROW ON IN SMALL POTS AND PLANT OUT EITHER IN A LARGER CONTAINER OR A WELL-DRAINED SPOT IN THE GARDEN.
Other Names: Wild Asparagus, Spiked Star of Bethlehem
Distribution: It is now rare in the wild, but was once abundant in woodland around Bath.
Habitat: Prefers a moist site in sun or semi-shade.
Description: Perennial. It is a tall plant (up to 60cm), with white flower spikes fromJune to July.
Why not buy some grown in Britain from cultivated stock, plant in your own garden, and help boost numbers! See link to wildflowershop below.
Planting Instructions for Bulbs: Bath Asparagus bulbs should be planted in the autumn as soon as received. They are best planted where they can be left undisturbed. Plant with about 10cm of soil above the bulb, so that the soil covering does not dry out during the Spring. If the soil dries out, the plant may not have sufficient moisture to build up the bulb for flowering the following year.
Source
www.wildflowershop.co.uk
A further source of supply is World Seeds ( i.e. you get a packet of seeds and not bulbs )
Thier website notes the following:
Tall slender spikes of starry pale green and white flowers appear extremely early in the year, sometimes as early as Christmas. This rare and fascinating British native has the extraordinary quality of having young flower shoots which may be eaten as a vegetable, similar to asparagus. The common name "Bath Asparagus" comes from the fact it was once abundant near the English city of the same name.
SOWING ADVICE: SEEDS ARE BEST SOWN ON DELIVERY AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR, 3-4MM DEEP IN GOOD LOAMY COMPOST. LEAVE THEM IN A COOL PLACE AND PREVENT DRYING OUT. THE NATURAL TEMPERATURE INCREASE IN SPRING USUALLY CAUSES GERMINATION TO OCCUR. GROW ON IN SMALL POTS AND PLANT OUT EITHER IN A LARGER CONTAINER OR A WELL-DRAINED SPOT IN THE GARDEN.