A magnificent and unusual Central Asian onion, Allium pskemense is a large, long-lived bulbous species from the western Tian Shan. It produces broad, cylindrical, glaucous leaves and sturdy flowering stems topped with rounded umbels of white flowers, creating a wonderful contrast between its blue-gray foliage and clean white flower heads. Plants can reach 40–100 cm in height, making this a substantial but very architectural addition to the dry garden. Also edible, perennial leaves is a bonus!
Native to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, Allium pskemense grows on rocky slopes and talus in the Tian Shan. Its natural habitat makes it particularly well suited to dry rock gardens, gravel gardens, and sunny bulb beds where the soil is exceptionally well drained. Allow the foliage to mature naturally after flowering and keep the bulb relatively dry during summer dormancy.
The spherical flower heads are rich in pollen and nectar and are attractive to bees and other flower-visiting insects. Like many ornamental onions, it can provide an excellent late-spring to early-summer food source for pollinators while its seed heads remain attractive after flowering. Hardy to approximately Zone 4–8.
A magnificent and unusual Central Asian onion, Allium pskemense is a large, long-lived bulbous species from the western Tian Shan. It produces broad, cylindrical, glaucous leaves and sturdy flowering stems topped with rounded umbels of white flowers, creating a wonderful contrast between its blue-gray foliage and clean white flower heads. Plants can reach 40–100 cm in height, making this a substantial but very architectural addition to the dry garden. Also edible, perennial leaves is a bonus!
Native to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, Allium pskemense grows on rocky slopes and talus in the Tian Shan. Its natural habitat makes it particularly well suited to dry rock gardens, gravel gardens, and sunny bulb beds where the soil is exceptionally well drained. Allow the foliage to mature naturally after flowering and keep the bulb relatively dry during summer dormancy.
The spherical flower heads are rich in pollen and nectar and are attractive to bees and other flower-visiting insects. Like many ornamental onions, it can provide an excellent late-spring to early-summer food source for pollinators while its seed heads remain attractive after flowering. Hardy to approximately Zone 4–8.