Star garlic
Product Description
Star garlic (Allium stellatum), offered by Akène
?? An ornamental perennial plant useful for biodiversity ??
Star garlic is a hardy perennial that provides a spectacular splash of color in late summer and early fall , when many other plants are beginning to decline. Its umbels of small, star-shaped flowers , ranging from bright pink to purple , attract a wide variety of pollinators , including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds .
?? Undemanding and resistant , it adapts to almost all types of soil and tolerates drought once well established . It grows both in full light and in partial shade , and is particularly interesting for natural gardens, rockeries and urban meadows .
Characteristics of the variety
?? Flowering : July to August
?? Height : 35 cm
?? Spacing : 15 cm
?? Exposure : Sun, partial shade
?? Life cycle : Perennial
?? Soil type : Sandy to loamy, well drained
?? Soil moisture content : Dry to medium
?? Deer Resistance : High
?? Seeds per packet : 100
Sowing and cultivation
?? Sowing depth : 5 mm
?? Germination time : 5 to 15 days
?? Cold stratification : 60 days
? Scarification : Not required
?? Indoor method (recommended for optimal germination) :
1?? Mix the seeds with three parts moist vermiculite and place them in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for 60 days .
2?? After stratification, sow 5 mm deep in well-drained potting soil.
3?? Maintain light humidity and a temperature around 20°C until the seedlings emerge (5 to 15 days).
4?? Transplant to the garden after the last frosts.
?? Outdoor method :
?? Sow directly in the fall for natural stratification, although germination rates may be lower.
?? Avoid excess humidity which could cause the bulbs to rot.
?? Once well established, star garlic requires virtually no maintenance and reseeds naturally.
Medicinal and culinary uses
?? An ally in the kitchen
The bulbs and leaves of star garlic are edible , with a mild flavor reminiscent of garlic and onion. They can be used raw or cooked to enhance dishes.
?? Medicinal properties
Traditionally, its bulbs have been used for their diuretic and digestive effects .
Ecological roles and utilities
?? A refuge for pollinators : Source of nectar for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds .
?? An excellent natural repellent : Repels deer, rodents and harmful insects .
?? Easy to naturalize : It reseeds and divides easily , forming a beautiful colony over the years.
?? Drought tolerant and can grow in rocky or clay soils .
Companion plants
?? Echinacea, rudbeckia, milkweed, goldenrod
Enemy plants
?? None known
Why grow star garlic?
?? A late flowering that attracts pollinators
?? An edible and resistant bulb
?? An ally for biodiversity and a natural repellent against pests
?? Easy to grow, even in dry or rocky soil
?? Add star garlic to your garden for a pop of color, flavor, and a haven for pollinators!