Allium cristophii

Allium cristophii, also known as the star of Persia, is a beautiful variety of botanical allium. In May-June, it forms large, airy spherical umbels composed of small violet star-shaped flowers with metallic reflections. This medium-sized ornamental garlic will not exceed 60cm (24in) in height when flowering. Fabulous in contemporary or natural inspired compositions alongside valerians, thistles, and grasses, this bulbous plant is comfortable in any type of soil as long as it is well-drained. Its dried flowers are extraordinary in dry or fresh bouquets.

Allium cristophii belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, just like leeks, onions, and garlic in our vegetable gardens. It is native to mountainous areas in northern Iran and central Turkey. This plant has a fleshy reserve organ that multiplies by forming bulblets and shares with other members of its family a noticeable onion or garlic smell when its foliage is crushed.

Growing rapidly, it will reach 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) in height when flowering and spreads on the ground by bulb multiplication. Flowering takes place in May-June in the form of wide and light umbels of metallic violet, averaging 20cm (8in) in diameter. Each umbel is composed of about 100 small star-shaped flowers with 6 very fine petals, carried by pedicels of varying sizes, all radiating from a central point. After pollination by insects, they produce capsules that remain decorative for a long time. The foliage consists of 4 to 6 wide basal leaves with a bluish-green shade. They are slightly villous. The foliage turns yellow and disappears at the same time as the flowering, which is a good adaptation to hot and dry summer conditions.

Use Allium cristophii as a focal point in a contemporary or country-style flower bed, especially in a dry garden. It will express its full potential in large groups of at least 10 to 15 bulbs. Plant it in a flowerbed, with white, mauve, pink, or red valerians, verbena 'Buenos Aires', and shrubby wormwoods, or as a border plant behind a row of neatly trimmed boxwood balls or germander. It also works well along a wall or pathway, or in isolated clumps amidst creeping bugleweed. No matter how you plant it, the decorative effect is guaranteed! Consider planting it in beautiful pots that will be decorative from spring to autumn. It can also be used in bouquets: to reduce the allium scent of the flowers, you can, for example, add a drop of bleach to the vase water or change the water regularly.

Allium pairs very well with roses and chamomile in flower beds, or in the vegetable garden where it will provide a few pleasant blooms that are sometimes lacking among vegetables. It can repel aphids and other harmful insects. Plant it among strawberries to protect them from fungal diseases. However, it seems to inhibit the growth of legumes. This plant is a poor companion for alfalfa and sainfoin, for example.