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    • Photo of Allium cristophii landscape by Panayoti Kelaidis

    Photo by Panayoti Kelaidis

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Buy Allium cristophii

    Also Known As

    • Allium albopilosum
    • Allium christophii
    • Star of Persia

    Plant type

    perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

    size

    • H: 12"-18"
    • W: 6"-12"

    planting zones

    • 4a-9b

    3" x 5" pot | $14

    Ships USPS, based on weight/location

    Fewer than 20 at Secret Garden Growers

    More Options

    Allium cristophii plant details

    Allium cristophii is a moderate-growing broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In spring and summer pink and purple flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer, dry when dormant. Does well in average, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Allium cristophii

    Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
    Plant family: amaryllidaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 6 IN - 12 IN - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
    Flowers: pink and purple blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: award-winning, border plant, container plant, cutting garden, rock garden, showy seedheads

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Allium cristophii

    USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: occasional - low
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, gritty, rich and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    The fireworks of the allium world! Big 6-8" balls of purple star florets with silvery highlights, look like exploding fireworks! 16-20" stems burst into bloom late spring, early summer. Even after the flowers are done, the dried seed heads are very sculptural – This is a bulbous perennial that enjoys full sun and well drained soils – We have found that the gophers turn their noses up at the alliums, as do the deer. When these are in bloom we sell out of them every year, no matter how many we have on hand!  USDA Zone 5  3"x 5" pot

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    Ornamental onions offer intriguing spherical or egg-shaped inflorescences comprised of hundreds of tiny flowers. Allium cristophii comes to us from Turkey and Afghanistan and looks like a firework of tiny lavender pink flowers exploding in the sun border. The sphere of tiny flowers can be up to 15 inches in diametre! Available in spring as potted plants and in fall as dry bulbs.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    Spectacular airy purple clusters of stars make up this 8" globe flower, beautiful in bloom and afterwards. We let these dry on the plant and then use for decorations indoors, as is or spray painted gold or silver. Once you've grown these, it's hard to imagine the late spring garden without them.

    By: Leafari

    Bulbous perennial with large (8-12") globe-shaped clusters of purple flowers in late spring to early summer. Blade-like green leaves form a clump at the base of the plant in the spring, but start to wilt by the time the flowers appear. Stems, 15-24" tall, hold up the large flower clusters. Bulbs can be divided in the fall. Plants self seed, so to minimize any unwanted spread, deadhead before seed set. Native to Iran, Turkey and central Asia. Growth Rate medium

    By: Garden World

    As the straplike leaves die off, Allium christophii sends up stout stems topped by sculptural blossoms. The spherical heads, an airy array of delicate amethyst stars, span nearly 10 in., and are almost too big and too beautiful to be real. Breathtaking in borders and bouquets, Star of Persia's fawn-colored seed heads dry perfectly. Plant a drift in a well drained spot and surround with the leafy, long lasting foliage of Geranium 'Buxton's Variety'. This Allium withstands both deer and rodents in our garden.

    By: Digging Dog Nursery

    This is a spectacular bulb that has a huge softball sized flower head with lots of starry amethyst colored flowers condensed into a spherical fireworks explosion. Looks great coming up through other perennials and the dried seed head can be spray painted the color of your choice. Good cut.

    By: Far Reaches Farm

    Exciting 6" sphere of sparkling lavender-purple flowers is spectacular in the garden and spectacular dried. Paint them if you dare! 2' tall stems.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Gardening facts about Allium cristophii plant

    How to Grow Allium cristophii

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • occasional - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry when dormant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • pink
      • purple

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • butterflies
      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    • Texture

      • grassy

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