About Allium schubertii Zucc.
Allium schubertii Zucc. is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches about 50 centimeters in height and has a lifespan of 2 to 5 years. It grows from an underground bulb, and produces bright green, strap-shaped leaves in spring. These leaves die back before the plant produces flowers. Its inflorescence is made up of 50 or more star-shaped, mauve florets arranged on stems of varying lengths, creating a distinct starburst effect that can measure up to 30 centimeters across. Once the flower heads dry out, they break away from the dead stems. Blown across the landscape by desert winds, these dry flower heads tumble along and disperse the plant's seeds as they move. Allium schubertii is naturally found in Israel, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and Libya, but it is cultivated as an ornamental plant in other regions. Both its fresh flowers and dried seed heads are often compared to exploding fireworks, and they are commonly dried for use in cut flower arrangements. They can even be sprayed with decorative paint and used as Christmas tree ornaments. The American Horticultural Society recommends growing Allium schubertii bulbs in AHS planting zones 5 through 8. Evidence suggests that the plant may actually be more cold-hardy than this recommendation indicates. Plant survival is heavily impacted by soil type: survival rates drop significantly in heavier soils that hold water over the winter.
