Allium christophii (Amaryllidaceae)

allium chrisophiiIMG_3898

(missouribotanicalgarden.org)

Common name: Star of Persia

Size, form, texture: height 1-2 ft, spread 0.5-1.5 ft, dense slowly spreading clumps, doesn’t tend to naturalize.

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: requires good drainage, grows well in sunny areas, native to northern Iran and Georgia, seeds produced in 5 chambered capsule, bulb perennial, dry to medium water use. Z 4-8

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: spherical, lavender coloured globular flowerhead, sparse stem with green lush foliage at base. Seed heads dry well after bloom.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: low maintenance, largest flowering head of any onion family, fairly hardy, ornamental onion for rock gardens, beds and borders, containers, or cut flowers. Attractive and interesting, unique, stand out in a garden.

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