Allium schubertii (tumbleweed onion)

Japanese name: アリウム シュベルティ
Scientific name: Allium schubertii

[Overview]
A perennial that forms a bulb underground.
The leaves are basal, flat and strap-like, about 30–40 cm long.
The leaves begin to wither during the flowering period.
A flower stalk 30–60 cm tall stands erect and bears at its tip a spherical umbel up to 22–30 cm across, with 50 or more flowers.
The inflorescence is at first enclosed in bracts.
The flowers are pinkish purple to lilac, with 6 tepals that open in a star shape.
The flower stalks are also tinged with purple and are of uneven length, giving an inflorescence like fireworks.
The fruit is a capsule; when the fruit ripens, the whole dried fruiting cluster breaks off the stem and scatters seeds as it rolls along the ground in the wind.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed; it takes several years from sowing to flowering.
The bulbs do not multiply readily, but division is possible.
It dislikes acidic soil.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
Take care that the soil does not become extremely dry, and during the growing period water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
Apply base fertilizer, and from spring until flowering give liquid fertilizer once every 2 weeks.
The flower stalks stand up, so plant in a place sheltered from strong wind or set up stakes.
If you are not collecting seed, cut the flower stalk at the base after the flowers finish so that the plant does not become exhausted.
When the leaves begin to wither, dig up the bulbs and store them in shade with good ventilation.
If the site is sunny and well drained, pests and diseases rarely occur.

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