About White Lace (Orlaya grandiflorum)
Orlaya, also called White Laceflower, is one of the most elegant filler flowers for late spring and early summer bouquets. Plants grow 24 to 30 inches tall with airy umbels of crisp white blooms over fern-like foliage, the makings of a perfect addition to the cottage garden. Flowers last seven to ten days in the vase and pair beautifully with many other cut flowers.
When to Plant White Lace Seeds
Zones 7 through 10 can sow seeds directly outdoors in early to mid-fall, about six to eight weeks before the first hard frost of fall. This allows seedlings to germinate and form a low rosette of foliage before winter dormancy. Expect little top growth during winter—plants will focus on root establishment. Once days lengthen and temperatures rise in spring, plants will bolt quickly to flower, giving earlier and longer harvests. In borderline Zone 6, fall sowing can work with protection such as frost cloth or a low tunnel. Colder zones should avoid fall sowing outdoors as plants are unlikely to survive winter without heated protection.
All zones can start seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last spring frost date, or direct sow outdoors once the soil is workable. Spring-sown plants will flower later than fall-sown ones but still perform well. Orlaya develops a taproot, so we recommend directly sowing seeds in their growing place so as not to disturb its roots while transplanting.
Where to Plant White Lace Seeds
Choose a full sun location with well-drained sandy or loamy soil for your orlaya seeds to reach their full potential. Light afternoon shade can be beneficial in hotter climates. Orlaya also tolerates poorer soils but produces more abundant blooms in moderately fertile conditions. Avoid planting where water sits after a rain. In locations with heavier soils, consider planting your orlaya seeds in raised beds.
How to Plant White Lace Seeds
In spring, one to two weeks prior to sowing seeds, refrigerate them to improve their germination. Read more about cold stratification here.
Surface-sow your seeds by placing them on top of the soil and press them in to give them good seed-to-soil contact. Do not bury seeds. If needed to protect from wind and birds, you can lightly cover them with no more than 1/16 inch soil to allow light to aid in germination. Orlaya seeds need light to germinate, read more about light requirements here.
Keep the soil evenly moist and warm, between 60°F and 70°F and seeds will germinate in approximately 12 to 21 days. After plants develop a set of true leaves, begin the hardening off process over five to seven days before planting. Transplant when the weather is still cool and take care to avoid disturbing its taproot.
Space seeds or seedlings 9 to 12 inches apart for strong, well-branched stems; six inches apart for dense cut-flower plantings.
How to Care for White Lace
Keep the soil evenly moist during germination and establishment; once mature, Orlaya tolerates moderate drought. Avoid waterlogged soils. Generally this plant has low feeding requirements. A light compost amendment or balanced fertilizer at planting is sufficient. Removing spent blooms can encourage a longer flowering period, but allowing some blooms to set seed will encourage self-sowing.
Harvest during the coolest part of the day and cut flowers when 50-80% of the florets in the umbel are open but before pollen is shedding. Place stems into clean water immediately where they can enjoy a vase life of seven to ten days. For dried arrangements, cut once seed heads have developed and hang upside-down in a warm, airy, shaded place.