Allium karataviense - Turkish Onion

Allium karataviense, also known as Turkestan Ornamental Garlic, native to the Karatau mountains in Kazakhstan, is an attractive, robust, and hardy botanical species that blooms in spring. It is recognized by its large globular pastel-coloured flower heads carried by sturdy stems emerging from beautiful grey-blue reflecting leaves. The plant goes dormant in summer. This not very tall but quite spectacular ornamental garlic will thrive in a sunny border or rockery among low plants, planted in very well-drained soil, even limestone and dry in summer.

The Turkestan garlic is native to Central Asia where it grows in the mountains, usually in limestone scree. This plant belongs to the lily family (Alliaceae), and grows from a single, round and slightly flattened bulb which can reach 10 cm in diameter over time. Its cold resistance is excellent (-20°C and colder), and it tolerates limestone and rather dry soils in summer very well. The inflorescences, perched 25 cm above the ground, are dense spherical umbels measuring 6 to 7 cm in diameter. They consist of numerous star-shaped flowers with 6 petals, in a very soft blend of white, cream, and lilac. After pollination by insects, decorative black seeds form. This slightly fragrant flowering is carried by thick and sturdy stems, between May and June, as early as late April in mild regions. The foliage, resembling a cornet, emerges from the ground towards the end of March, earlier or later depending on the region. It consists of 2 to 5 leaves measuring 5 to 12 cm wide, arranged in a rosette. They are thick, violet on the underside, and covered with a bloom that gives them a refined grey-blue colour. They are sometimes tinged with purple. The foliage yellows and disappears just after flowering, usually at the end of June, adapting well to hot and dry summer conditions.

Easy to grow and unique, Allium karataviense appreciates any type of moist soil in spring, but always well-drained, in a sunny location. Used to bring an unusual touch to borders and rockeries, it adapts very well to pot culture, allowing you to enjoy its beautiful flowering on a balcony or terrace. Plant it in groups of 5 between low perennials (Kit Cat catnip, rock cresses, perennial geraniums, lavenders, spreading pinks...).