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Position

Sun Exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in Border:
Middle

Soil

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. 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.

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, 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.

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Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyes
Flowersyesyes
Divideyesyes
Collect seedsyesyes

Allium ‘Cristophii’ and wildlife

Allium ‘Cristophii’ is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Allium ‘Cristophii’ poisonous?

Allium ‘Cristophii’ can be toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Cats
Cats
Is known to attract Dogs
Dogs
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
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