Ipheion uniflorum

Ipheion uniflorum with Sedum mexicanum

Colloquially known as the spring starflower, this petite bulb for a while had its name changed to Tristagma uniflorum but is apparently now back to Ipheion uniflorum! It comes from Argentina and Uruguay. Arising from grassy clumps of foliage (ht 15-20 cm) in late winter and early spring, the flowers face upwards and are shaped like simple stars. Usually seen in a shade of pale blue, there are also white, purplish and stronger blue-coloured cultivars. The bulbs are reasonably frost hardy and grow best in well-drained soil in part or dappled shade in Sydney. They multiply quite rapidly to form thick clumps, which can be divided in summer when they are dormant. The leaves smell of garlic when crushed.