Products › Autumn planted bulbs to flower in the Spring › Allium › Allium cristophii

Found in the wild in Soviet Central Asia to Iran on rocky slopes and first described in 1884. In the garden growing best in free draining soils in the sun where the strap shaped leaves give way to a flower stem between 10-16" (25-40 cm) tall when they wither away. The flower head in June is up to 8" (20 cm) across, made up of 50-80 star shaped florets in a pale purple and metallic silvery violet colour. The seed heads dry well, though get bleached of their colour by the sun. The seed can be sown to flower in 4-5 years. Good with grey leaved sun loving plants such as lavender and the seed heads make good a foil for ornamental grasses.

Planting instructions

To avoid excessive overlap plant about 8" (20 cm) apart and 3-4" (7.5-10 cm) deep in sunny well drained soils and try to include purple or grey in the surrounding planting for added effect. Flowers in June, up to 10"-16" (25-40 cm) tall, metallic shades.