These striking alliums can be planted in amongst perennials to add an extra layer of flowers, where they appear to 'float' above shorter perennials. Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' is the all-time Chelsea Flower Show favourite and Allium 'Nigrum' has been used in many recent Chelsea gardens, showing how alliums really stand the test of time.
In each collection you will receive a mix of the following:
Allium 'Nigrum'
The naming of this plant refers to black, but the flower is in fact white. The wide grey-green leaves of this ornamental onion generally have started to die back when the flowers emerge in early summer. These sit on tall, sturdy stems forming flattish clusters that create a striking silhouette. Each creamy white flower has a pronounced ovary at its heart, which looks a little like a dark green pearl nestled in the centre.
Allium 'Purple Sensation'
Strap-shaped grey-green leaves start to die back before the densely packed umbels of deep violet, star-shaped flowers appear in early summer. Its striking globe-like architectural silhouette makes it particularly well suited to gravel or prairie-style planting schemes. These alliums are renowned for their large flower heads, which are just as attractive after they have finished flowering as seed heads.
Allium 'Sphaerocephalon'
Small, egg-shaped, claret-coloured flowerheads appear like drumsticks on tall, slender stems above strap-like, mid-green leaves in mid to late summer. These diminutive claret flowers look great emerging from a screen of foliage, or against a backdrop of ornamental grasses.
HEIGHT: 75-90cm
SITE: full sun
FLOWERING MONTHS: June to July
BULB SIZE: various
Garden Care
Alliums thrive in light sandy, well drained soil in full sun. Avoid planting in cold wet soils as the bulbs are prone to rot in these conditions. Plant allium bulbs at a depth of 10cm and a distance of 10cm apart. A slow release fertilizer can be added to poor soils at the time of planting to improve fertility. When growing alliums, plant them where the leaves of other plants will cover the base of their stems. This will hide the old foliage which dies back before flowering begins.
