Star of Persia (Allium christophii) — Bulbs, size 10/12
- Regular price
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€24,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€24,95
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Frequently asked questions
Can Allium christophii flowers be dried? Yes, the globes dry on the plant and keep their starry shape: cut them once they have turned beige for a dried bouquet that lasts for months.
What is the difference between Star of Persia and Allium Purple Sensation? Star of Persia is shorter, 40 to 60 cm, but its globes are twice as wide, up to 20 cm, with more widely spaced metallic purple stars.
Shipping & packaging
Shipped within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 working days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection so your plant arrives in perfect condition
- Tracking link sent by email as soon as your parcel ships
- Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page
ZEN ARRIVAL GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us promptly at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- We will find the right solution for your situation
- No return needed — we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage in transit, plants severely weakened on arrival, and order preparation errors.
CARE TIPS ON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack your plant immediately and inspect it
- Let it acclimatize for 24-48h in a bright spot out of direct sunlight
- Check the soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting, if needed
- Keep it away from heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe the leaves to remove dust
Need help? Contact our team at hello@verdeia.eu or via chat.
💜 Starry globes 15 to 20 cm across • 🌿 Stems 40 to 60 cm • 🌤️ Blooms in June • 🐝 Very bee-friendly • ☀️ Full sun • 🌾 Dries on the plant for bouquets • 🧊 Very hardy • 🔁 Blooms again every year • 📏 Bulb size 10/12
The Star of Persia (Allium christophii) bears the largest globes in the allium family: in June, each bulb produces a 40 to 60 cm stem crowned with a sphere 15 to 20 cm across, made up of around a hundred widely spaced metallic purple stars. The species is native to Central Asia (Iran, Turkmenistan) and Turkey, where it grows on dry, sunny slopes.
After flowering, the globes dry on the plant and keep their shape for weeks, in the garden or in a dried bouquet. Among our flower bulbs, it is the allium with the largest globes, on a shorter habit than the giant varieties.
How many bulbs should you choose?
Star of Persia makes the most impact planted in groups: allow about 10 bulbs per square meter, or 3 to 5 bulbs in a 30 cm diameter pot.
- 15 bulbs: about 1.5 m², or three to four large pots on a terrace.
- 30 bulbs: about 3 m², for a border along a path or in front of a hedge.
- 60 bulbs: about 6 m², for a true mass effect among perennials and grasses.
- 120 bulbs: about 12 m², for a large bed or a dry garden.
The larger the pack, the lower the price per bulb: the 120-bulb pack costs less than half the per-bulb price of the 15-bulb pack.
Planting & location
The bulbs are planted from September to December, as long as the ground is not frozen, for flowers in June.
- Exposure: full sun, at least 6 hours a day; in shade, the globes stay small and the stems lean.
- Depth: 10 to 15 cm, pointed end up, or about three times the height of the bulb.
- Spacing: 25 to 30 cm between bulbs in the ground, to leave room for the large globes; 10 to 12 cm in a pot.
- Soil type: well drained, even poor, stony or chalky; the bulb rots in soil that stays waterlogged in winter.
- Hardiness: down to -25 °C in the ground, no protection needed.
In heavy soil, add a handful of gravel to the bottom of the planting hole: the bulb won't sit in water in winter.
Watering & care
Star of Persia needs very little: in the ground, rainwater is enough, and excess moisture is the real threat, as explained in our article on overwatered plants with damaged roots.
- Watering: low — water once at planting, then only in a very dry spring; in a pot, when the potting mix is dry several centimeters down.
- In a pot: use a well-draining potting mix blended with sand or clay pebbles, as explained in our guide to substrates and potting mixes.
- Fertilizer: unnecessary in the ground; in a pot, use a bulb fertilizer as the leaves emerge.
- After flowering: let the leaves turn yellow and dry in place; they rebuild the bulb's reserves for the following year.
The broad gray leaves yellow as soon as the flowers open: this is normal for alliums, so plant it behind low plants that will hide its foliage.
Decorating ideas & plant pairings
Its starry globes pair well with grasses and sun-loving perennials, in beds or in large pots, as shown in our guide to plants for a full-sun balcony.
- For an allium bed on three levels, plant it in front of Allium 'Purple Sensation' — its dark purple globes at 80 cm bloom in May, then Star of Persia takes over in June, lower down.
- For a spectacular effect, pair it with Allium 'Gladiator' — its lilac globes held at 1.20 m tower over the large stars of Star of Persia in the foreground.
- To hide its foliage, plant it among the trio of Festuca, Carex and Stipa ornamental grasses — the tufts hide the yellowing leaves, and the globes rise above the plumes.
- For a terrace version, plant 3 to 5 bulbs in the Elho Greenville Round pot in leaf green in the Ø25 cm size — an outdoor pot with drainage holes, whose green sets off the metallic sheen of the flowers.
The dried globes keep their starry structure all summer: leave them in place in the garden, or spray them with gold paint for a festive decoration.
Verdeia tips
- Plant as soon as they arrive: the bulbs keep for a few weeks in a cool, dry place, but they root better if planted quickly, before hard frosts.
- Harvest the dried globes: cut the stems once the stars have turned beige and the seeds have formed. Hung upside down for a few days, they keep for months in a dried bouquet.
- Don't dig up the bulbs: left in place, they bloom again every year. In dry, well-drained soil, they even self-seed around the clumps.
Technical specifications
- Botanical name: Allium christophii
- Common name: Star of Persia, Persian onion
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Origin: species native to Central Asia (Iran, Turkmenistan) and Turkey
- Delivery: dry bulbs, size 10/12 (10 to 12 cm in circumference), in packs of 15, 30, 60 or 120
- Flowering height: 40 to 60 cm
- Flowering: June, metallic purple starry globes 15 to 20 cm across
- Planting: September to December, 10–15 cm deep
- Exposure: full sun
- Watering: low
- Hardiness: down to -25 °C
- Soil type: well drained, tolerates poor, stony and chalky soils
- Life cycle: perennial, blooms again every year
- Bee-friendly: very attractive to bees, bumblebees and butterflies
- Care: very easy
- Toxicity: toxic to animals (dogs and cats) if ingested, like all alliums
- Decorative style: Dry garden / Country / Contemporary
Each bulb is unique: the size of the globes and the height of the stems vary naturally depending on the soil and sun exposure.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Orders ship within 48 working hours, with tracked delivery in 2 to 5 working days via DPD. Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page. You receive a tracking link as soon as your parcel leaves.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What should I do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.