Ipheion uniflorum Charlotte Bishop

The Ipheion Uniflorum Charlotte Bishop, poetically named Spring Star, is a recently obtained variety, interesting for the deep mauve-pink colour of its star-shaped flowers, lasting for three months in late spring, sometimes as early as February, and in autumn in favorable climates. Like all ipheions, this small bulbous plant develops grass-like foliage that releases an onion-like fragrance when crushed. Very hardy and easy to grow in any well-drained soil, it rests in summer, unaffected by heat and drought. It naturalizes easily on slopes, in rock gardens, or borders.

The Ipheion uniflorum or Tristagma uniflora is a small bulbous plant with a very simple appearance, that multiplies very quickly, native to South America (specifically the meadows and rock gardens of Argentina), and hardy despite its origins. It is classified in the lily family, like garlic and onions, among others. The cultivar 'Charlotte Bishop' is a recent English creation, distinguished by its fairly intense mauve-pink colour, which is rare among ipheions, which are usually blue. The bulb produces a clump of linear, pale blue-green leaves in late summer, growing up to 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8in) in height when flowering. They will completely disappear in summer.

In late winter (February-March), solitary flowers appear, with a honey-like fragrance, measuring 2 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter, mauve-pink in colour with darker median lines, and a black center contrasting with yellow stamens. They are upright and star-shaped, composed of 6 narrow petals. In cold climates, its long flowering period begins at the same time as the first crocuses, reaching its peak in March and April, and ending in May with the arrival of summer heat. In mild climates, flowering extends from December to May. Very hardy in well-drained soil, this plant needs dry and hot summers. It multiplies very quickly by producing numerous bulblets.

The 'Charlotte Bishop' Ipheion pairs well with Muscari armeniacum, Sternbergia, or Zephiranthes candida, for example, three other small bulbs that are just as easy to grow. It can also be planted under deciduous shrubs, accompanied by perennials or biennials to stagger the flowering. It spreads in borders, rock gardens, at the front of flower beds, along well-exposed walls, or even in pots. Pick the flowers as soon as they bloom if you want to make bouquets. The ipheion is also an excellent ground cover, sometimes even invasive.