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Allium 'Christophii' (Allium)

This is the largest of all the ornamental onions, it has a huge spherical head consisting of 80 individual purple flowers on stems up to 60cm high. When they have finished flowering the seedheads can also be cut and dried for use in flower arrangements.

History

The name 'Allium' could either come from the latin name for garlic or could be derived from the celtic 'all' which translates as 'hot'. These alliums are native to Turkey and Iran.

Planting

In October plant bulbs in well drained soil either in a sunny border or a container that is to be placed in a sunny position. The bulbs should be 10-13cm (4-6") deep and roughly 14cm (6") apart. If using a container make sure grit is added to a good multi-purpose compost and ensure that there is at least 2.5cm of compost beneath the bulb to give enough room for the roots to spread.

Seeds can be sown straight into borders in autumn infact alliums will self seed if the seedheads are left on the plant, but there is a risk that future plants will not have the same deep coloured flowerhead as the original.

Propagation

Seeds, Division.

Cultivation

Grows best in a warm, sunny position in any reasonably fertile, well drained soil.

Aftercare

Feeding should not be necessary in a reasonably fertile soil but it is important to leave the leaves on the plant to die back naturally which will feed energy back into the bulb for the next years growth. If planted in a container it is better to replace the compost each year to ensure a good show of flowers. Keep the bulbs moist during the growing and flowering period but refain once the leaves have started to die back.

Pests

Trouble free.

Diseases

Trouble free.

Other information

Allium cristophii has been given the 'Award of Garden Merit' by the Royal Horticultural Society. This used to be called Allium albopilosum which referred to the fringe of white hairs that edges the leaves. It is also sometimes known as the 'Star of Persia'

Height/Spread

Grey-green strappy leaves appear early and die back before the flowers open in July to August. Relatively short stems, up to 60cm high, support a huge spherical flower-head 20-30cm wide. The flowerhead contains between 50-80 individual, star shaped, lilac/purple flowers with a metallic sheen and slightly flattened petals. As the flowers fade, they resemble brown stars, which are also an attractive architectural feature in the garden.

Annual care

September

Remove seedheads if self seeding or seed collection is not required and cut back old leaves once they have yellowed and died back sufficiently for the energy to return to the bulb for next years growth.

October

Plant seeds directly into borders or containers in well drained soil/compost. New bulbs can be planted in this month and bulbs planted in containers should be repotted into new compost.

Plant name

Allium

Latin name

Allium 'Christophii'

Common name

Ornamental Onion, Star of Persia

Genus

Allium

Flower colour

Purple

Foliage colour

Green

Plant type

Bulb

Soil type

any

Soil PH

any

Moisture

Well Drained

Aspect

Full Sun

Hardiness

H (Fully Hardy) to -15°C

Leaf type

Herbaceous

Life cycle

Herbaceous Perennial

Aspect

Normal

Min height

50 cm

Max height

60 cm

Min spread

15 cm

Max spread

20 cm