Milk Maids - Burchardia umbellata (Popoto) seeds

Burchardia umbellata - Milkmaids
A perennial lily with fragrant star-shaped flowers and edible tubers, ideal for ornamental gardens and bush food cultivation.

Quick Facts

• Height & Spread: Upright perennial lily with tapering, carrot-like roots.
• Flowers: White and reddish, honey-scented, star-shaped blooms from September to November.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained soil; resents poor drainage but tolerates semi-shade.
• Position: Thrives in open, sunny locations; tolerates drought and frost.
• Climate: Native to woodlands and heath in eastern and southern Australia, found in all states.

Why Grow Burchardia umbellata?

Milkmaids are a versatile addition to native gardens, offering stunning ornamental flowers, edible tubers, and a hardy, low-maintenance growth habit. Their fragrant blooms and bush food value make them perfect for rockeries, containers, and informal garden drifts.

Bush Food Note

Milkmaids produce edible, potato-like tubers:

• Uses:
  • Tubers can be eaten raw or cooked.
  • White, fleshy, crisp, and starchy, with a mild flavor.
• Harvest: Tubers are available year-round, making them a reliable bush food source.

How to Grow

1. Sowing Instructions:

   • Smoking the seeds before sowing enhances germination.
   • Sow seeds in autumn in well-drained soil.

2. Position:

   • Plant in an open, sunny position for best results.
   • Suitable for rockeries, containers, and garden drifts.

3. Care Tips:

   • Water during flowering to enhance blooms.
   • Avoid watering dormant plants, as this can cause tuber rot.
   • Plant in groups for the best ornamental effect.

Uses in Your Garden

• Bush Food Garden: Produces edible tubers for raw or cooked consumption.
• Ornamental Value: Fragrant star-shaped flowers add beauty and charm to gardens.
• Rockery & Containers: Ideal for small spaces with well-drained soil.
• Native Landscaping: Complements informal garden drifts and native plantings.

Germination Tips

• Enhancement: Smoke-treat seeds before sowing to improve germination rates.
• Season: Sow seeds in autumn for optimal results.
• Moisture: Keep soil moist during germination and flowering but avoid overwatering dormant plants.

Order Now

Add the beauty and utility of Burchardia umbellata to your garden. With its stunning flowers, edible tubers, and hardiness, Milkmaids are an excellent choice for ornamental and bush food gardens.

Order your Milkmaids seeds today and grow a plant that combines beauty and functionality with ease!