How to Grow Stenanthium Plants

Guide to Growing Featherbells, Featherfleece, and Osceola's Plume

Members of the Stenanthium genus are usually grown as hardy bulbs. They reach an height of 60 to 150 cm (two to five feet).

Stenanthium plants bloom in the summer, when they carry large spike that have small white flowers growing from panicals. They have grass like foliage.

Some common names for Stenanthium include Featherbells, Bronze bells, Osceola's Plume, and Featherfleece.

Stenanthium occidentale - Bronze bells by Forest Service - Northern Region.

How to Grow Featherbells and other Stenanthium Plants

It is best to grow Featherbells, Featherfleece, and other Stenanthium from bulbs. These should be buried at about 10 to 13 cm (4 to 5 inches) deep, at the start of spring.

Stenanthium bulbs should be spaced at about 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches) apart. Locate plants so they can be grown in a sunny or partially shaded part of the garden.

This should have good drainage and a moist acidic soil.

It is possible to grow this plant from seeds. Sow the seeds into flats and lightly cover, sink the flats into the ground in a shaded location, and cover with glass. Germination should take from one month to six months.

Allow the seedlings to grow in situ for one growing season, then transplant to their final location following the last frost of spring.

Caring for Stenanthium

It is fairly easy to care for Stenanthium species in the garden. The ground that they grow in should be composted and mulched in the spring, and they require regular watering. If you require more plants then they can be propagated by division in the autumn.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Stenanthium plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Xerophyllum and Veratrum plants.