Ornamental Onion Allium cristophii
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Ornamental Onion:
Previously known as:
- Allium albopilosum
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-ee-um kris-TOFF-ee-eye
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Star of Persia is a Central Asian bulb in the onion family (Alliaceae). The Genus name is Latin for garlic
The plant grows 1-2 feet tall and will form dense clumps over time. It tolerates summer drought but requires moisture during the growing season. Deadhead after flowering to control unwanted spread or leave the seedheads on for additional late-season interest. Plant the bulbs 12 inches apart and 5 inches deep in fall for spring blooms in well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade.
The strap-like leathery leaves appear first in early spring then begin to wither as the flower stems appear in late spring. They are topped with large clusters of silvery lavender flowers and make great cut or dried flowers. Star of Persia has the largest flower cluster of all the ornamental onions.
Use in the border, a rock garden, cottage garden, cutting garden, naturalized areas or containers.
Received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Bulb rot can occur in wet soils.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Allium
- Species:
- cristophii
- Family:
- Alliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Iran, Turkey and central Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators and songbirds.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- normally not susceptible to animals, drought
- Edibility:
- Bulbs and stems are edible raw or cooked. However, the plant also has poisonous characteristics as noted in the "Poisonous to Humans" section of this record. Toxicity can depend on the age of the person or animal, the age of the plant, the part of the plant ingested, how much is ingested, whether the person or animal has sensitivities or allergies, whether it's eaten raw or cooked, and so forth. Consult with a medical professional for further details.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Poisonous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Capsule with black seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Large cluster is 8-12 inches wide with many pale lavender flowers at the top of a naked stem in late spring to early summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Flat strap-like leaves are up to 20 inches long and 1 inch wide in a basal rosette. Leaves begin to wither before bloom time. Have an onion or garlic smell when bruised.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth green leafless stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
