Spring Starflower (Ipheion uniflorum)

common name: 
Spring starflower, starflower
 | 
scientific name: 
Ipheion
 
uniflorum
Blue star-shaped flower with yellow center, surrounded by green leaves and blurred earthy background.

Spring starflower (Ipheion uniflorum ‘Wisley Blue’) in bloom, showcasing pale blue star-shaped flowers in early spring in the Backyard Farmer Garden, April 2026.

Image Creadit: 
Trey Lamkins, Graduate Research Assistant

Spring starflower (Ipheion uniflorum) is a low-growing, bulbous perennial valued for its delicate, star-shaped flowers and ease of cultivation. Blooming in early spring, it produces soft blue to lavender flowers with a subtle fragrance, creating a gentle carpet of color in garden beds and naturalized areas. This species performs best in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soils and is well-suited for rock gardens, borders, and woodland edges. Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant, especially during its summer dormancy period.

Charecteristics
Plant type: 
Bulb
Hardiness Zones: 
5a, 5b, 6a, 7
Light Needs: 
Full Sun
Water Needs: 
Moist
Space Requirements: 
Less than 12 inches
Height Requirements: 
Less than 2 feet
Spread Requirements: 
1–2 feet
Bloom Color: 
Lavender
Bloom Time: 
Spring
Leaf Color: 
Green
Companion Plant Tolerance: 
Deer
Uses: 
Ground Cover
Varieties
Light blue flower with star-shaped petals and yellow center in a green, blurred background.
‘Wisley Blue’

‘Wisley Blue’ is a popular selection known for its soft, pale blue flowers with a slightly darker midrib, giving each bloom added depth and contrast. It maintains a compact growth habit and is well-suited for mass plantings, containers, and naturalized settings.