Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Star of Persia

Latin Name:

Allium christophii

Allium christophii, commonly called star of Persia, is a bulbous perennial that is ornamentally grown for its spring bloom of large, spherical, pale lavender flowerheads.

Taxon ID#

100 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4 Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Easily grown in rich, sandy to gritty, dry to medium moisture, well-drained loams in full sun.

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

Family:

Amaryllidaceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial

This plant is native to Iran, Turkey and central Asia (concentrated in territory once known as Persia).

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Strap-shaped, gray-green, basal leaves (to 20" long and 1" wide) form a clump of foliage in spring.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Purple

Flower Description:

Large, spherical, pale lavender flowerheads; Each flowerhead is packed with up to 100 individual flowers. These flower heads are among the largest produced by any of the ornamental onions in commerce today. Seed heads dry well after bloom.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

Mature height:

12-24"

Mature spread:

6-18"

Growth rate:

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

yes

Photo:

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

no

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

no

Windbreak:

no

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Adds Texture/Movement:

yes

First Bloom:

May

Last Bloom:

May

Ornamental Accent:

yes

Garden Observations:

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Summer Care:

Plants may self-seed in the garden. Deadhead flowers before seed sets to help control any unwanted spread.

Fall Care:

Plant new bulbs 3-6" deep and 10-12" apart in fall. Established plants may be divided in fall.

Winter Care:

Long Term Care:

Insect Pests:

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

Bulb rot may occur in overly moist soils. Mildew, rust, leaf spots and thrips may appear.

Environmental Problems:

Landscape Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.

Care Comments:

Plants form dense, slowly-spreading clumps over time. They perform best in dry, sunny areas of the garden. Established plantings have good drought tolerance.

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

USDA Plants:

Calscape Database:

LBJ Native Plant Database:

Missouri Botanical Garden Database:

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=282301

Monrovia Profile:

Alternate Source 1:

https://www.highcountrygardens.com/flower-bulbs/allium-flower-bulbs/allium-christophii-bulbs

Alternate Source 2:

Source Comment:

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

​

Star of Persia

​

​

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

100

MAINTENANCE

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Easily grown in rich, sandy to gritty, dry to medium moisture, well-drained loams in full sun.

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial

This plant is native to Iran, Turkey and central Asia (concentrated in territory once known as Persia).

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Strap-shaped, gray-green, basal leaves (to 20" long and 1" wide) form a clump of foliage in spring.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Purple

Flower Description:

Large, spherical, pale lavender flowerheads; Each flowerhead is packed with up to 100 individual flowers. These flower heads are among the largest produced by any of the ornamental onions in commerce today. Seed heads dry well after bloom.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

​

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

​

Mature height:

12-24"

Mature spread:

6-18"

Growth rate:

​

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

​

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

yes

Photo:

​

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

no