U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction

Ornithogalum 'Chesapeake Starlight' 

and 'Chesapeake Snowflake' 

The U.S. National Arboretum announces the release of two chic new 

Ornithogalum hybrids, 'Chesapeake Starlight' and 'Chesapeake Snowflake'. 

Capturing both the beautiful and basic of the white flower, these introductions bear 

dense heads of pure white flowers on strong flower scapes. Designed for cut flowers 

or containers, these two selections will be useful additions to the garden or floral 

design palette indoors or out.

'Chesapeake Snowflake' 'Chesapeake Starlight'

Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20002
U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction

Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit

U.S. National Arboretum: www.usna.usda.gov

March 2006

Botanical Name: Ornithogalum 'Chesapeake Starlight' (PP 12,850)

Ornithogalum 'Chesapeake Snowflake' (PP 13,200)

Family: Liliaceae

Hardiness: U.S.D.A. Zones 9

Development: The Chesapeake Series was jointly created by Robert J. Griesbach of USNA and 

the late Fred Meyer of New World Plants as a new line of potted and cutflower 

plants. 'Snowflake' and 'Starlight' were derived from a South African cultivar, 

O. thyrsoides 'Bok Bay', with an unusually dense head of large white flowers. 

A backcross breeding program produced short- and long-stemmed forms. U.S. 

Plant Patents issued. Officially registered with the Royal General Bulb Grower's 

Association in The Netherlands. 

Significance: 'Chesapeake Starlight' and 'Chesapeake Snowflake' are the result of a successful 

breeding strategy to develop novel Ornithogalum cultivars with large, dense heads 

of pure white flowers for both potted plant and cutflower production. They are the 

first intraspecific O. thyrsoides crosses of the Chesapeake Series and expand the 

color range beyond the oranges and yellows of 'Chesapeake Blaze', 'Chesapeake 

Sunburst' and 'Chesapeake Sunset'.

Description: Height: 10-25 inches tall. 

Habit: Summer dormant, deciduous bulb. 

Foliage: Dark green glabrous leaves 1-2 inches wide and 10-12 inches long. 

Flowers: White on 0.4 inch diameter, sturdy scapes, longlasting. Bulbs produce 

1-2 flower stems in succession. Individual flower stems bloom for 4-6 weeks. Plants 

remain in bloom for several months. 

Cultivar Ploidy Level Flower Number & Color Flower Size

'Chesapeake Snowflake' Diploid 40-50 pure white 2.5" diameter 

(cut flower form) (RHS 155D) on 10” scape 

'Chesapeake Starlight' Diploid 50-60 pure white 2.5" diameter on 

(potted plant form) (RHS 155D) 25" scape 

Culture: Bulbs should be grown in a well-drained potting mix or sandy loam soil, pH 6.0-7.0. 

Plants grow and flower continuously at temperatures under 90°F; 65-75°F is ideal; 

dormancy occurs above 90°F. Commercially, dormancy is broken by high temperature rather than low.

Propagation: Bulbs are vegetatively propagated; tissue culture. Finish in 25 weeks from 

rooted tissue culture plants.

Use: Long-lasting and sturdy, pure white flowers for beauty and contrast in container 

plantings for indoor use; cut flowers in bouquets and arrangements; bedding plants 

for zone 9 gardens.

Availability: For additional information on availability contact Dr. Robert Griesbach, U.S. National Arboretum, Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit.

 

Chesapeake Series Star-of-Bethlehem

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity Employer.