Allium christophii

STAR OF PERSIA, ORNAMENTAL ONION
syn. A. albopilosum, A. cristophii
Family: Liliaceae
Pronounced: AL-lee-um

 

Quick Jumps

Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes

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GROWING GUIDE

Origin:
Iran, Turkey, and Central Asia.
Plant Group:
Bulbs.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones 1-24.
USDA zones: 5-8.
Heat zones: 9-5.
Mature size:
Height: 32 inches (80 cm).
Flowering period:
May-June.
Flowering attributes:
Lavender-purple, star-shaped flowers form an open globe-shaped umbel, up to 6-12 inches across that sits on top of a 12-15 inch tall stem.
Leaf attributes:
Long, strap-shaped, green leaves with white hairs underneath.
Growth habit:
Clumping.
Light:
Full sun to partial shade.
Soil:
Fertile, humus rich, sandy, well-drained soil.
Propagation Methods:
Remove offsets in autumn and plant.
Pruning Methods:
No pruning.
Pests and Diseases:
Bulb rot can occur during our damp conditions of fall through spring. Onion fly and thrips may be a problem.

 

Rainy Side Notes

"… Its flower color was very similar (A. bodeanum), an inconspicuous grayish pink, very different from the beautiful, shining, bright purple flowers of cultivated A. christophii. This is a case in which the cultivated stock is far better than the wild one." ~Jānis Rukšāns

Allium christophii, although a parent to the wonderful A. ‘Globemaster’, is a striking large flowering allium in its own right. I love the enormous (up to 12 inches in diameter) globe-shaped umbels packed with the star-shaped, pinkish to lavender-purple flowers that make them look like fireworks bursting, but without the noise. The flowers last a long time in the garden and eventually dry on their stems*, giving great interest to the fall and winter garden!

I’ve heard that people go out into their gardens and spray paint their dried allium flowers. I’m not ready for that, the dried globes are striking in the garden as nature intended. To each their own, but I prefer au natural! However, I believe in the old saying—never say never. I think I would enjoy them if done creatively in the right garden setting.

If deer plague your garden, plant these alliums. When browsing your plants, they will turn up their snouts in disdain over your ornamental onions.

Plant your bulbs three to six inches deep. Because it has such a large flower, you will need to plant them 12 inches apart.

*For dried flowers, pick them while still in flower and hang upside down until dry.

More Alliums.

Photographed in author's garden.