Ipheion, Spring Starflower 'Rolf Fiedler'

I have tons of Spring Starflower. Can anyone tell me any difference between 'Wisley Blue' and 'Rolf Fiedler'? I can see no difference at ...Read Moreall in any images anywhere. If there's any difference, it must be so subtle that it would take a DNA test to point it out. One stand of these flowers can produce subtle shade variations depending on sunlight, moisture etc but that can be said for many other flowers and plants.

At first I was disappointed at how small the plants were. Literature says 3-6" high, in my garden they are 2-3": high.

...Read More Mar 2012: I have warmed up to these wonderful little plants because of their beautiful blue color, because they are early harbingers of spring, and because the blooms last a long time. I will grow more of these and add other varieties to my garden.

Mar 2018: slowly expanding.

A great plant suitable for dry to near xeric conditions. Survived the drought of 2005-2006 here without any problems or irrigation. Bec...Read Moreomes totally dormant in summer.

All the Ipheions and their related subspecies are native to South America (southern Brazil, Chili, and Uruguay) and are called Spring Sta...Read Morerflowers. They are great naturalizing bulbs for Texas and the southern United States--but in Texas they should not be confused with either the Prairie Celestial Lily (Nemasyylus geminiflora) or the Prairie Nymph (Herbertia lahue). These two species are both native to Texas and quite frankly very different with very obvious flower and bulb morphology differences from the Ipheions.

Ipheion 'Rolf Fiedler' and other related Ipheon species bloom earlier in the season in my garden and have happily naturalized in areas with good drainage for 20 years. I love the Ipheions for their very early spring blooms!

I don't find the variety 'Rolf Fiedler' to be superior to the variety 'Wisley Blue' just a different color of blue. 'Rolf Fiedler' is a mid- to cobalt blue an may actually be of the species Ipheion peregrinans (native to Uruguay) while 'Wisley Blue' is more of a wedgewood or colonial blue color and is generally thought to be a British seed strain of Ipeion uniflorum var. violaceum.

All the Ipeion species are hardy, most are inexpensive, permanently naturalizing harmonious bulb species in the southern United States and if allowed reseed themselves will hybridize yielding very interesting color combinations.