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Allium cristophii AGM
Star of Persia
Type/Hardiness Bulbous perennial, Hardy
Flowering period Spring
Height 12-18in/30-45cm
Light preference Full sun
Soil preference Any, free-draining
Sowing time/depth Spring, 0.1in/3mm
Beautiful giant orbs of lilac flowers are followed by exquisite spherical seed heads and are wonderful for dried flower arrangements. The dried stems are very weak; the solution is to very carefully push a slender woody stem (I use willow) or heavy wire down the stem, preferably while it is still fresh and moist, to provide support. Bulbs produced from seed will take 2 years to flower. Blooms will be small in the first flowering season but given good care they could eventually reach as much as a foot across.
Sowing and/or growing instructions
Stratify by mixing seed with a handful of damp compost in a plastic bag, sealed and placed in the fridge for 4 weeks. After stratification, sow at any time, but preferably in spring, shallowly in modules, maintaining a temperature of at least 50F and keeping moist but not waterlogged. Germination is erratic. Plant out young plants carefully, avoiding bruising the leaves. Mark the position clearly as it will be some time before the plants establish and they will die down completely at the end of the year. Although generally hardy, alliums prefer a sheltered position in well drained soil in order to flourish.
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