Allium jesdianum facts for kids

Allium jesdianum is a type of onion plant. It grows mostly in Iran, but you can also find it in Afghanistan. It might even grow in Iraq and Uzbekistan. People around the world grow this plant because it's very pretty. It's an ornamental plant, meaning it's grown for its beauty.

This plant is also great for gardens. Its special types, called 'Akbulak' and 'Early Emperor', won an award in 2016 from the Royal Horticultural Society. This award is called the Award of Garden Merit. These types are also known to attract pollinators, like bees, which helps other plants grow too! Sometimes, plant shops have mistakenly sold Allium jesdianum as another plant called Allium rosenbachianum.

What Does Allium jesdianum Look Like?

This onion plant is quite striking. It can grow to be about 75 cm (30 in) (about 30 inches) tall. It has long, flat leaves that look like straps.

Flowers and How They Grow

The plant usually has one main flower cluster. This cluster is round, like a globe, and has many flowers packed together. This round cluster is called an umbel. It sits on top of a straight, tall stem, which is called a scape.

The flowers themselves are beautiful. They have thin petals that are usually a rose-purple color. What makes them stand out are their bright white stamens. Stamens are the parts of the flower that make pollen. These white stamens stick out beyond the petals, making the flowers look even more interesting.

Different Colors and Types

While the wild plants often have rose-purple petals, there are many different types, or cultivars, of Allium jesdianum. These cultivars can have flowers with a wider range of petal colors.

Awards for Gardeners

As mentioned, two specific types of Allium jesdianum are very popular with gardeners: 'Akbulak' and 'Early Emperor'. Both of these received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. This award means they are excellent plants for gardens and are easy to grow.