Allium cristophii (Star of Persia)

Allium cristophii (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).

Allium cristophii 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.

Native to Turkey and Iran, Allium cristophii is not fully hardy and in colder regions should be mulched or planted in pots and moved to a frost free area in autumn.

A dome of spiky little florets give this allium a sparkling brilliance. The enormous, 8-10″ globes are violet-pink with a silvery sheen. Christophii blooms in late spring to early summer and the dried seed heads last for months. An ideal choice for rock gardens or pathways where the flowers can be admired up close. Also known as Star of Persia.