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Allium cristophii (Star of persia)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Allium cristophii
Other names
Star of persia, Allium christophii, Allium albopilosum
Genus
Allium Allium
Species
A. cristophii - A. cristophii is a deciduous, bulbous perennial, with strap-shaped, grey-green leaves dying back at flowering and, in early summer, spherical heads of star-shaped, purple-pink flowers followed by showy seed-heads.
Allium cristophii is: Deciduous
Habit
Erect
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Pest free, may suffer from slugs on new growth.
Specific pests
Slugs , Onion fly Slugs , Onion fly
Onion rot , Downy mildew Onion rot , Downy mildew
General care
Pruning
Remove leaves only after they have completely died down.
Propagation methods
Seed, Offsets
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Where to grow
Allium cristophii (Star of persia) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Gravel
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Add grit to heavy soils to improve drainage.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Allium cristophii
Other names
Star of persia, Allium christophii, Allium albopilosum
Genus
Allium Allium
Species
A. cristophii - A. cristophii is a deciduous, bulbous perennial, with strap-shaped, grey-green leaves dying back at flowering and, in early summer, spherical heads of star-shaped, purple-pink flowers followed by showy seed-heads.
Native to
Central Asia, Turkey
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Erect
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Pest free, may suffer from slugs on new growth.
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Remove leaves only after they have completely died down.
Propagation methods
Seed, Offsets
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Allium cristophii (Star of persia) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Gravel
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Add grit to heavy soils to improve drainage.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Allium cristophii (Star of persia)
Common pest name
Asain cotton leafworm; Cluster caterpillar; Fall armyworm; Rice cutworm; Taro caterpiller; Tobacco budworm; Tobacco caterpillar; Tobacco cutworm; Tobacco leaf caterpillar
Scientific pest name
Spodoptera litura
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Regulated pest; frequently intercepted with occasional outbreaks which have been successfully eradicated in the UK.
Defra's Risk register #2
Plant name
Allium cristophii (Star of persia)
Common pest name
allium leaf miner
Scientific pest name
Phytomyza gymnostoma
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Present (Limited)
Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Pest of Allium already present in UK and spreading; previous consultation supported awareness raising only; industry should prepare for the event of findings in commercial crops.
Defra's Risk register #3
Plant name
Allium cristophii (Star of persia)
Common pest name
Sugarbeet webworm; Weevil; Australian tomato; Weevil; vegetable
Scientific pest name
Listroderes costirostris
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Awareness needs to be maintained due to the risk of entry as a 'hitchhiker' and monitoring of the pest in countries where it is known to be present.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
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| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Allium christophii
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