Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
Ornamental onions are grown for their globe shaped flower heads that remain attractive once dried as well in flower. Alliumcristophii (syn Allium christophii) bears huge, spherical flowerheads comprising up to 80 purple flowers with slightly flattened petals that create the perfect ball shape. As these fade, they resemble brown stars, and the complete stem will last for many weeks as part of a dried flower arrangement. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Alliumcristophii is a fantastic choice for sunny borders, and works well when planted in drifts with ornamental grasses and other alliums. It makes a wonderful cut flower.
For best results, plant bulbs in a sunny spot in fertile, well-drained soil up to three times their diameter. Native to Turkey and Iran, Alliumcristophii is not fully hardy and in colder regions should be mulched or planted in pots and moved to a frost free area in autumn.
Explore other interesting versions of Alliums:
Allium moly 'Jeannine' - bears bright yellow, star-shaped flowers which are attractive to bees and other pollinators
Allium x proliferum - has multiple uses and should be treated as a perennial crop as it self-seeds readily – effectively 'walking' around your garden
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Allium ‘Cristophii’ and wildlife
Allium ‘Cristophii’ is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
