{"product_id":"ail-etoile-de-perse-allium-christophii-bulbes","title":"Star of Persia (Allium christophii) — Bulbs, size 10\/12","description":"\u003csection class=\"product-content verdeia-product\" id=\"ail-etoile-de-perse\"\u003e\u003cheader class=\"product-intro\"\u003e\u003cp class=\"product-highlights\"\u003e💜 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\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eStar of Persia\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eAllium christophii\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 \u003cstrong\u003enative to Central Asia (Iran, Turkmenistan)\u003c\/strong\u003e and Turkey, where it grows on dry, sunny slopes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003eAfter flowering, the globes dry on the plant and keep their shape for weeks, in the garden or in a dried bouquet. Among our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/bulbes-a-fleurs\"\u003eflower bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e, it is the allium with the largest globes, on a shorter habit than the giant varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/header\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"formats\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow many bulbs should you choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStar 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e15 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 1.5 m², or three to four large pots on a terrace.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e30 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 3 m², for a border along a path or in front of a hedge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e60 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 6 m², for a true mass effect among perennials and grasses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e120 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 12 m², for a large bed or a dry garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"plantation-emplacement\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; location\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bulbs are planted from September to December, as long as the ground is not frozen, for flowers in June.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, at least 6 hours a day; in shade, the globes stay small and the stems lean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDepth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 to 15 cm, pointed end up, or about three times the height of the bulb.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25 to 30 cm between bulbs in the ground, to leave room for the large globes; 10 to 12 cm in a pot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e well drained, even poor, stony or chalky; the bulb rots in soil that stays waterlogged in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to -25 °C in the ground, no protection needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eIn heavy soil, add a handful of gravel to the bottom of the planting hole: the bulb won't sit in water in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"arrosage-entretien\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWatering \u0026amp; care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStar of Persia needs very little: in the ground, rainwater is enough, and excess moisture is the real threat, as explained in our article on \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/plante-trop-arrosee-sauver-racines-pourries\"\u003eoverwatered plants with damaged roots\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e low — water once at planting, then only in a very dry spring; in a pot, when the potting mix is dry several centimeters down.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn a pot:\u003c\/strong\u003e use a well-draining potting mix blended with sand or clay pebbles, as explained in our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/comprendre-substrats-terreau-billes-argile-perlite\"\u003esubstrates and potting mixes\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e unnecessary in the ground; in a pot, use a bulb fertilizer as the leaves emerge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAfter flowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e let the leaves turn yellow and dry in place; they rebuild the bulb's reserves for the following year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"associations-deco\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDecorating ideas \u0026amp; plant pairings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts starry globes pair well with grasses and sun-loving perennials, in beds or in large pots, as shown in our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/plantes-balcon-plein-soleil-guide\"\u003eplants for a full-sun balcony\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor an allium bed on three levels,\u003c\/strong\u003e plant it in front of \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/allium-purple-sensation-ail-ornement-violet-bulbes\"\u003eAllium 'Purple Sensation'\u003c\/a\u003e — its dark purple globes at 80 cm bloom in May, then Star of Persia takes over in June, lower down.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a spectacular effect,\u003c\/strong\u003e pair it with \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/allium-gladiator-ail-ornement-geant-bulbes\"\u003eAllium 'Gladiator'\u003c\/a\u003e — its lilac globes held at 1.20 m tower over the large stars of Star of Persia in the foreground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTo hide its foliage,\u003c\/strong\u003e plant it among the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/trio-graminees-festuca-carex-stipa\"\u003etrio of Festuca, Carex and Stipa ornamental grasses\u003c\/a\u003e — the tufts hide the yellowing leaves, and the globes rise above the plumes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a terrace version,\u003c\/strong\u003e plant 3 to 5 bulbs in the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/pot-elho-greenville-round-vert-feuillage\"\u003eElho Greenville Round pot in leaf green\u003c\/a\u003e in the Ø25 cm size — an outdoor pot with drainage holes, whose green sets off the metallic sheen of the flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"tips\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eVerdeia tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"verdeia-tips\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant as soon as they arrive:\u003c\/strong\u003e the bulbs keep for a few weeks in a cool, dry place, but they root better if planted quickly, before hard frosts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest the dried globes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDon't dig up the bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e left in place, they bloom again every year. In dry, well-drained soil, they even self-seed around the clumps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"caracteristiques\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tech-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAllium christophii\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Star of Persia, Persian onion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Amaryllidaceae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e species native to Central Asia (Iran, Turkmenistan) and Turkey\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery:\u003c\/strong\u003e dry bulbs, size 10\/12 (10 to 12 cm in circumference), in packs of 15, 30, 60 or 120\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40 to 60 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e June, metallic purple starry globes 15 to 20 cm across\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e September to December, 10–15 cm deep\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to -25 °C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e well drained, tolerates poor, stony and chalky soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLife cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e perennial, blooms again every year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBee-friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e very attractive to bees, bumblebees and butterflies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e very easy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eToxicity:\u003c\/strong\u003e toxic to animals (dogs and cats) if ingested, like all alliums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecorative style:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry garden \/ Country \/ Contemporary\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eEach bulb is unique: the size of the globes and the height of the stems vary naturally depending on the soil and sun exposure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Everspring","offers":[{"title":"15 bulbs","offer_id":57278105977097,"sku":"50810","price":24.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 bulbs","offer_id":57461393326345,"sku":"61482","price":32.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"60 bulbs","offer_id":57461393359113,"sku":"61483","price":51.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"120 bulbs","offer_id":57461393391881,"sku":"61484","price":80.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/1006\/5673\/files\/ail-etoile-de-perse-allium-christophii-bulbes-calibre-1012-verdeia-4253752.png?v=1792538549","url":"https:\/\/verdeia.eu\/en\/products\/star-of-persia-allium-christophii-bulbs","provider":"Verdeia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}