Scientific Name:
Allium cristophii
(incl. hybrid cvs.)
Pronunciation:
AL-ee-um kris-TOFF-ee-eye
Common Name:
ornamental onion, Persian onion, star of Persia
Family Name:
Amaryllidaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves basal, linear, most 20-30cm long x 1-3cm wide (-6cm wide in hybrids), margin entire and ciliate; umbel round, on a tall green peduncle, florets 2-4cm wide, petals narrow, violet to purple, pedicels 5-15cm long.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Round
Texture:
Medium - coarse
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Central / west Asia, Garden origin (Iran)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Rocky or gravelly or dry, Well-drained
Water Use:
Low, Summer dry
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Attract butterflies, Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Floristry, Perennial border, Spring interest
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Basal
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous, Pubescent
Colour in Fall:
Yellow, Brown
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Ciliate, Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Umbel
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
3
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Violet, Purple, Magenta
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun
Additional Info:
6 tepals
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
n/a
Organ Modifications:
Bulbs
Propagation:
Seed
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Fungal leaf spot, Mildew, Mold, Rust, Thrips (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
- not used (on campus)
Location(s):
- (AGB) Acer Griseum Bed
- (BCE) Boulevard (Circular) Eastend : labyrinth
- (QRR) Quercus Robur Row planting