Allium karataviense - Turkestan Onion

The Allium karataviense, also known as the Turkestan Ornamental Garlic, native to the mountains of Karatau in Kazakhstan, is an attractive, robust, and hardy botanical species that blooms in spring. It is recognized by its large globular pastel-colored flower heads carried by stout stems emerging from beautiful bluish-gray reflective leaves. The plant goes dormant in summer. This not very tall but quite spectacular ornamental garlic will thrive in a border or a sunny rockery among low plants, planted in very well-drained soil, even limestone and dry in summer.

The Turkestan garlic is native to Central Asia where it grows in the mountains, usually on limestone scree. This plant belongs to the lily family (alliums), growing from a single bulb, round and somewhat flattened, which can reach 10 cm in diameter over the years. Its cold resistance is excellent (-20°C and colder), and it tolerates limestone soils and rather dry conditions in summer very well. The inflorescences, perched 25 cm above the ground, are dense spherical umbels measuring 6 to 7 cm in diameter. They consist of numerous star-shaped flowers with 6 petals, in a very soft blend of white, cream, and lilac. After pollination by pollinating insects, decorative black seeds form. This slightly fragrant flowering is carried by thick and stout stems, between May and June, starting in late April in our mild regions. The foliage, resembling a cone, emerges from the ground towards the end of March, earlier or later depending on the regions. It consists of 2 to 5 leaves measuring 5 to 12 cm wide, arranged in a rosette. They are thick, purplish on the underside, and covered with a bloom that gives them a refined bluish-gray color. They are sometimes tinged with purple. The foliage yellows and disappears just after flowering, usually by late June, a good adaptation to hot and dry summer conditions.

Easy to grow and unique, the Allium karataviense appreciates any type of fresh soil in spring, but always well-drained, in a sunny location. Used to add an unusual touch to borders and rockeries, it adapts very well to pot culture, allowing you to enjoy its beautiful flowering on a balcony or terrace. Plant it in groups of 5 that you will slip between low perennials (catmint 'Kit Cat', aubrietas, perennial geraniums, lavenders, ground cover carnations...).