Allium (Ornamental Onions).

Members of the Liliaceae family, Allium species are to be found in many mountainous areas of the Northern Hemisphere. They have strap-like leaves arising from the base of the plant. The individual flowers are small, but arranged in heads up to 10cm (4 inches) across on the larger varieties. The flowers are usually long lasting and highly valued for the colourful impact they add to any perennial border. 

ALLIUM AFLATUNENSE.

76cm (30 inches). 

Lilac purple flowers in June. 

Pot grown plants. 

Price code B £2.86 each.

ALLIUM ALBOPILOSUM (Allium cristophii).

30cm (12 inches). 

Lilac purple flowers in June. 

Pot grown plants 

Price code U £1.82 each

ALLIUM ATROPURPUREUM.

60cm (24 inches). 

Deep, red-purple flowers. 

May-June flowering. 

Pot grown plants 

Price code W £2.32 each

ALLIUM BULGARICUM (Nectaroscordum siculum).

White, pink-eyed flowers clustered 

around the top of tall flower stems. 

June-July flowering. 60cm (24 inches). 

Price code U £1.82 per colony.

ALLIUM CAERULEUM (Allium azureum). 

Blue flowers, 

May-June flowering. 

60cm (24 inches). 

Price code T £1.61 per colony.

ALLIUM CERNUM.

Soft rose-pink flowers, 

June-July flowering. 

38cm (15 inches). 

Price code U £1.82 per colony.

ALLIUM GIGANTEUM

Huge mauve flower heads 

August onwards. 

120cm (48 inches). 

Pot grown plants. 

Price code X £2.56 each.

ALLIUM HAIR.

90cm (36 inches). 

May/June flowering.

Green flowers followed

by decorative seed pods. 

Pot grown colonies. 

Price code B £2.86 per colony.

ALLIUM KARATAVIENSE

25cm (10 inches). 

Pale pink, 

May-June flowering. 

Pot grown plants. 

Price code C £3.26 each.

ALLIUM KARATAVIENSE IVORY QUEEN

25cm (10 inches). 

Ivory white flowers. 

May-June flowering.

 Pot grown plants. 

Price code C £3.26 each.

ALLIUM MOLY.

25cm (10 inches). 

Yellow flowers. 

May-June flowering. 

Price code S £1.42 per colony.

ALLIUM MULTIBLOSUM (syn. Nigrum).

The flowers are usually creamy white, 

sometimes pale lilac ball-like flowers 

7cm (3 inches) across, on strong stems.

 May-June flowering 60cm (24 inches) in height. 

Cover this variety with a dry mulch in winter on exposed sites.                       

Pot grown colonies. Price code X £2.56 each.

ALLIUM NEAPOLITANUM (Allium cowanii)

30cm (12 inches). 

White flowers. 

May flowering. 

Price code S £1.42 per colony.

ALLIUM OREOPHILUM. 

Bright-pink flowers 

in May-June. 

20cm (8 inches). 

Price code S £1.42 per colony.

ALLIUM PULCHELLUM (syn. carinatum).

Pinkish purple flowers 

5cm (2 inches) across. 

July flowering, 

37cm (15 inches) in height. 

This variety may produce a new set of leaves after flowering. 

Pot grown plants. Price code W £2.32 each.

ALLIUM PURPLE SENSATION. 

Large, purple flowers 

on imposing stems.

 May-June flowering. 

90cm (36 inches). 

Pot grown plants. 

Price code W £2.32 per colony.

ALLIUM ROSENBACHIANUM

Large, purple flowers. 

July-Aug flowering. 

90cm (36 inches). 

Pot grown plants. 

Price code W £2.32 each.

ALLIUM SCHUBERTII

Enormous, exploded-ball shaped 

flower heads 30cm (12 inches) across. 

Height 40cm (16 inches). 

May-June flowering.

Pot grown plants. Price code B £2.86 each.

ALLIUM SPAEROCEPHALUM. 

Red flowers in June. 

Any soil, sun or light shade. 

50cm (20 inches). 

Pot grown colonies. 

Price code S £1.42 per colony.

Growth starts with the appearance of strong shoots in spring. These soon develop into a pleasing cluster of leaves around the flower stem bases. However, they are best planted behind other shorter perennials as the leaves often start to wither away before flowering begins. 

Never plant on a site prone to waterlogging. A well-drained soil and a position in full sun are best, but many varieties will tolerate being planted in heavier soils and light shade.