Ipheion JESSIE 'Blue' Spring Starflower , FALL bulbs

Ipheion uniflorum ‘Jessie Blue’ — Spring Starflower — is a sweetly scented, star-shaped bulb flower producing shimmering deep violet-blue blooms from April through May. A member of the Amaryllidaceae family (Allioideae subfamily), it is one of the most cheerful and effortless naturalizing bulbs available — excellent for borders, lawns, and woodland garden settings. Deer resistant. Bee and butterfly friendly. Good for cut flowers. Bulb size: 4/+ cm. Hardy Zones 5–9.

Plant Highlights

• Shimmering deep violet-blue star-shaped flowers with a sweet fragrance — April through May
• Naturalizes freely and spreads over time — excellent for lawns, borders, and woodland edges
• Deer resistant; bee and butterfly (pollinator) friendly
• Good for cut flowers
• Outstanding in blue-and-white garden schemes, border plantings, and mass accent plantings
• Bulb size: 4/+ cm | Height: 3–6 inches | Hardy Zones 5–9

Planting Guide (Garden Beds)

When to plant: Autumn or winter, for April–May bloom.

Location: Half sun to partial shade; fertile, well-drained soil essential. Avoid waterlogged sites — if puddles remain 5–6 hours after rain, amend with compost, peat moss, or bark to improve drainage and raise the bed 2–3 inches.

Depth & spacing: Plant bulbs 4 inches apart with tops 4 inches below the soil surface, pointy end up.

After planting: Water well to settle soil around the bulbs. Roots develop within 1–2 weeks; top growth appears the following spring.

Seasonal Care

In bloom: Feel free to cut stems for bouquets — it does not harm the plant. Apply a light fertilizer after cutting to support future blooms.

After bloom: Leave foliage in place until it turns yellow and dies back naturally — it feeds the bulb through photosynthesis. Water about 1 inch per week during active growth.

Dormancy: Once foliage dies back, remove it. These bulbs prefer dry conditions during dormancy.

Autumn care: Water once with a water-soluble fertilizer in autumn to nourish developing roots and encourage stronger blooms the following spring.

Container Planting

Use well-drained potting mix in containers with adequate drainage holes — never allow bulbs to sit in waterlogged soil. Plant bulbs close together (~1 inch apart) for the most brilliant container display, pointy end up, 4 inches deep. Site in full sun. Care after blooming is the same as for garden beds — leave foliage until it yellows, then remove.

Planting Specs

• Common name: Spring Starflower
• Botanical name: Ipheion uniflorum
• Family: Amaryllidaceae (Allioideae)
• Bloom color: Deep violet-blue; star-shaped; fragrant
• Bloom time: April–May
• Height: 3–6 inches
• Bulb size: 4/+ cm
• Hardy Zones: 5–9
• Light: Half sun to partial shade
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained
• Planting time: Autumn or winter | Depth: 4 inches | Spacing: 4 inches | Pointy end up
• Deer resistant: Yes | Attracts: Bees and butterflies | Cut flower: Yes
• Naturalizer: Yes