Allium caeruleum (blue globe onion, blue ornamental onion, blue-of-the-heavens, blue-flowered garlic; syn. Allium azureum Ledeb.) is an ornamental bulbous plant of the onion genus, native to Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Siberia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Xinjiang).[3][4][5] In these regions, it is found on dry slopes, plains, and steppes.[6]

blue-of-the-heavens
Лук голубой
棱叶薤 leng ye xie
1847 illustration[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Allioideae
Genus: Allium
Subgenus: A. subg. Allium
Species:
A. caeruleum
Binomial name
Allium caeruleum
Synonyms[2]
  • Allium azureum Ledeb.
  • Allium caerulescens G.Don
  • Allium viviparum Kar. & Kir.

This plant is cited in the Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe puis L'illustration horticole by Charles Antoine Lemaire. It grows to 80 cm (31"), producing strap-shaped leaves and small globes (umbels) of blue flowers in early summer. The one-inch wide globular flower heads attract butterflies.[7] The plant has been granted the British Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (1993).[8]

A. caeruleum thrives in well-drained soil in full to partial sun.[9] It is deer-resistant and suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4–8.[6]

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References

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  1. ^ illustration from Flore des serres et des jardins de l’Europe by Charles Lemaire and others. Gent, Louis van Houtte, 1847, volume 3 (plate 300).
  2. ^ The Plant List
  3. ^ "NC State University: Allium caeruleum". Archived from the original on 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  4. ^ Flora of China Allium caeruleum 棱叶薤 leng ye xie
  5. ^ Peter Simon von Pallas. 1773. Reise durch verschiedene Provinzen des russischen Reichs 2: 727, pl. R.
  6. ^ a b "Allium caeruleum - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  7. ^ "Allium caeruleum (Ornamental Onion)". Gardenia.net. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  8. ^ "Allium caeruleum AGM". RHS Plant Finder. Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  9. ^ "Boston Bulbs Wholesale - Allium Azureum Bulbs - Boston Bulbs Wholesale". www.bostonbulbswholesale.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-05-17.