Allium

The "Giant Allium" is the species that started the craze for these incredible plants. Allium giganteum was one of the first giant ornamental onions to be introduced to European gardens from its native Central Asia. It produces wonderful 6-inch globes of bright lilac-purple flowers on towering stems that can easily reach 5 feet. While newer hybrids may be larger, giganteum has a classic, reliable charm and a slightly more open flower structure that gives it a softer, more airy feel than its dense hybrid cousins. It is a true garden heirloom and a must-have for creating that classic, vertical cottage garden look.

A late-summer marvel, the Drumstick Allium is a master of transformation. It begins as a slender green bud, slowly developing its signature oval head that transitions from green to a rich burgundy-claret, starting from the top down. Planted in generous drifts, these tightly packed, egg-shaped blooms sway on wiry stems, creating a mesmerizing, rhythmic dance in the breeze. They are perfect for weaving through perennial borders, adding a pop of deep, jewel-toned colour and dynamic texture long after other flowers have faded. Their slender profile allows them to mingle effortlessly without overcrowding neighbors, making them an exceptional choice for naturalistic and prairie-style plantings, bringing your garden composition to a beautiful crescendo.

For those who crave deep, dramatic colour, Allium atropurpureum is an unparalleled choice. It produces dense, dome-shaped clusters of tiny, star-like florets in an intense shade of dark, blackish-purple. The colour is so rich and saturated it appears almost velvety, creating a powerful point of contrast against brighter flowers and silvery foliage. Standing on tall, slender stems, these dramatic blooms seem to float above their neighbors, adding a touch of moody sophistication and depth to planting schemes. They are particularly effective when planted in large drifts, creating a river of dark wine-red that flows through a perennial border. Their elegant form and striking colour make them a sophisticated addition to any garden design, from contemporary to cottage.

Allium 'Purple Sensation' is certainly sensational in its popularity among gardeners as well as its absolutely striking good looks, and you’ll be thrilled to have it. At the end of a fairly short stalk, 100 or more lavender purple stars shoot out in a circle of superb symmetry and seemingly painted-on colour. Any great artist would be proud to have designed these flowers, and a cluster is a breath-taking sight. Plant several Allium 'Purple Sensation' bulbs (commonly known as Dutch garlic) close together and see for yourself why this is one of the trendiest plant species to have in your garden. They also smell divine and butterflies flock to them. Just fabulous!

The long-lasting, sweetly scented blooms of Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' last well in the vase, and even the spent flowers look striking with their structured flower stems precisely arranged in their spherical pattern. All in all, it’s a gorgeous plant, with a sculptural yet airy appearance, and it’s pleasant to see it finally winning gardener’s hearts as it deserves.

Living up to its name in every way, 'Graceful Beauty' offers a soft, romantic touch. The delicate 3-inch flower heads are a gentle combination of pure white florets with subtle lavender-pink centres, creating a soft, shimmering effect. Unlike the bold giants, this variety has a more refined and understated elegance, making it perfect for cottage gardens and romantic planting schemes. It blooms generously, often producing several stems per bulb, and its sweet scent is an added delight. Plant it where you can appreciate its subtle charm up close, perhaps alongside pale pink roses or silvery foliage plants.

A plant of exceptional grace and subtle beauty, the Sicilian Honey Garlic is a true garden aristocrat. From a tall, upright stem, a fascinating firework-like head emerges, bearing up to 30 enchanting, bell-shaped flowers on long, gracefully drooping pedicels. Each bloom is a complex combination of creamy-green flushed with pink and maroon, creating a soft, antique tapestry of colour. As the flowers mature, the pedicels turn upwards, completely changing the shape of the bloom head into an upright candelabra. This dynamic, mobile-like structure provides weeks of interest and is a magnet for bees. It’s a perfect choice for adding movement, elegance, and a touch of the unusual to both formal and informal garden settings.

When it comes to making a statement, 'Globemaster' is in a class of its own. This magnificent variety boasts some of the largest flower heads available—enormous, 8-10 inch globes packed with thousands of star-shaped, purple florets. What makes 'Globemaster' truly special is its incredibly long bloom time; as new florets open from the center, the flower head continues to expand, maintaining its perfect spherical shape for weeks on end. It’s a living sculpture for your garden, providing a powerful focal point that commands attention and inspires awe. Even after the colour fades, the dried seed heads provide architectural interest well into the winter.

Make way for a stellar performance. 'Red Giant Star' is a magnificent hybrid that commands attention with its massive flower heads and unique colouration. It features the huge, starry florets of its christophii parentage but infuses them with a rich, reddish-pink hue, centered with a deeper red eye. The individual flowers are enormous, creating a lacy, open globe that can span over 8 inches wide. It blooms on strong, relatively short stems, making it a robust and wind-resistant choice for a high-impact position in the mid-border. The combination of its impressive size, intricate floral detail, and warm, radiant colour makes it a living sculpture in the garden, a true showstopper that draws the eye and sparks conversation.

A jolt of electric, azure-blue for the summer garden, Allium azureum is a gem of startling intensity. Unlike its paler relatives, this allium delivers a spectacular splash of vivid, cornflower-blue, a colour that brings an unparalleled energy to the border. It forms dense, tightly packed globes of star-shaped florets, each held aloft on slender, upright stems that rise above withering, grass-like foliage. This trait makes it a perfect candidate for interplanting, where its brilliant flower heads can float magically above a sea of lower-growing perennials and grasses.

Native to the windswept steppes of Central Asia, it is perfectly at home in full sun and sharply-drained soil. For a truly breathtaking effect, plant in generous, tightly-packed drifts where its collective power can create a dazzling, vibrant haze of blue. Pair it with the contrasting fire of orange geums or the cool silvers of artemisia and eryngium for a display that is both dynamic and sophisticated. A plant of pure, unadulterated colour, Allium azureum is guaranteed to stop onlookers in their tracks.

Behold the celestial firework of the plant world, the Star of Persia. This allium produces an enormous, airy globe, often reaching up to 10 inches in diameter, composed of as many as 100 individual, star-shaped florets. Each metallic, silvery-lilac flower has a remarkable amethyst sheen, creating a sparkling, ethereal sphere that seems to hover in the garden. It blooms a bit lower to the ground than its giant cousins, making it a perfect statement piece for the front or mid-border. After flowering, the architectural seed heads are just as stunning, drying to a beautiful silvery-tan that persists for months. Use them to add long-lasting structure to the garden or bring them indoors for magnificent dried arrangements that capture their starry magic.

A true titan of the garden, 'White Giant' brings a breathtaking combination of colossal size and pristine colour. It produces enormous, 8-inch flower heads packed with thousands of tiny, star-shaped, snow-white florets, each with a tiny green eye at its centre. Standing tall and proud on thick, sturdy stems that can reach over 4 feet, these luminous globes act like beacons in the late spring garden, glowing in the evening light. 'White Giant' is perfect for creating a sophisticated and dramatic focal point, or for weaving through deep purple alliums to create a stunning, high-contrast display of light and shadow.

Don't be fooled by the name—Allium nigrum is a vision of sophisticated elegance, not darkness. It produces dense, half-spherical domes of tightly packed, creamy-white flowers. The "black" in its name refers to its prominent, dark green or deep purple central ovary, which gives each tiny floret a distinct and captivating "eye." Standing on strong, upright stems, these blooms have a commanding presence and an almost geometric perfection. They are incredibly long-lasting both in the garden and as a cut flower, making them a floral designer's favourite. Plant them in bold groups to create a display of cool, architectural beauty that pairs wonderfully with deep purples, blues, and lush green foliage, adding structure and a refined modern touch.

True to its name, 'Gladiator' is a strong and statuesque presence in the garden. Standing tall on robust, sturdy stems, it produces impressive 6-inch globes of rich lilac-purple. It is one of the earliest of the giant alliums to bloom, creating a dramatic and powerful display that stands up to spring winds. 'Gladiator' is an excellent choice for creating vertical interest at the back of a border or for planting in bold groups to create a wave of colour. Its classic globe shape and reliable performance make it a champion of the late spring garden, effortlessly pairing with peonies and irises to create a truly spectacular show.

A jewel of the late spring garden, 'Silver Spring' is a masterpiece of subtle detail. Each 4-inch globe is composed of dozens of creamy-white, star-shaped flowers, but the magic is in the centre of each floret: a prominent, deep cherry-red eye. This creates a stunning, two-toned effect, as if each tiny flower has been hand-painted. The blooms are fragrant and float above glossy green foliage on strong stems. It’s an incredibly sophisticated variety that draws you in for a closer look, rewarding you with its intricate beauty. It bridges the gap between white and pink planting schemes beautifully.

As one of the tallest and latest-blooming alliums, 'Summer Drummer' provides a spectacular grand finale to the season. Its sturdy, towering stems can reach impressive heights, each topped with a large, dense globe composed of countless tiny, star-shaped florets. The flowers are a beautiful mix of deep purple and crisp white, creating a frosted, shimmering effect from a distance that catches the late summer light. Their sheer size and architectural stature make them an unmissable focal point in the back of the border, standing tall and proud like sentinels in the garden. The substantial globes retain their shape long after the colour fades, providing striking structural interest that carries the garden's form well into autumn, looking magnificent when touched by frost.

Prepare for a botanical firework display! Allium schubertii is one of nature's most spectacular and architectural creations. It produces an enormous flower head, up to a foot wide, with an explosive, open structure. The bloom consists of dozens of tiny, pinkish-purple, star-like florets, each borne on a pedicel of a dramatically different length. Some are short, clustered at the center, while others radiate outwards on long stems, creating a stunning, starburst effect. When the flowers fade, the resulting seed head is an even more impressive architectural skeleton that looks like a tumbleweed. It is a sensational centerpiece for a gravel garden or sunny border and makes an absolutely magnificent dried flower that will last for years.

Also known as Rosy Garlic, Allium roseum is a charming and carefree wildflower that brings a touch of the Mediterranean countryside to any garden. It produces loose, delicate clusters of pretty, bell-shaped, soft pink flowers on slender stems. Unlike the formal globes, these have a relaxed, informal habit that is perfect for naturalising in gravel gardens, sunny banks, or wilder parts of the garden. It multiplies readily, creating larger and more impressive drifts each year. It's a low-maintenance and subtle beauty that provides a gentle wash of colour and attracts pollinators in droves.

A fantastic variety for the front or middle of the border, 'Ostara' is prized as much for its foliage as for its flowers. It produces handsome rosettes of broad, grey-green leaves that remain attractive throughout the blooming period, solving the common allium problem of withering leaves. The flowers themselves are beautiful 4-inch globes of an intense reddish-purple, held on sturdy, relatively short stems. It blooms a little earlier than many large alliums, providing a fantastic pop of long-lasting colour. 'Ostara' is a superb all-rounder, offering a compact, tidy habit combined with a bold and beautiful flower.

A truly unique and captivating variety, 'Red Mohican' is a guaranteed conversation starter in any garden. It shares the distinctive oval shape of its drumstick relatives but with an unforgettable twist. The main body of the flowerhead is a tight globe of deep maroon-red florets, from which erupts a whimsical crest of longer, sterile florets, creating a striking tuft or "mohawk" at the top. This playful, bi-level structure provides fascinating texture and form. Plant them where they can be admired up close, such as along a pathway or at the front of a border. Their quirky personality shines when planted in clusters, where their collective crests create a delightfully punk-rock effect that adds rhythm and a touch of rebellious fun to your planting scheme.

With a striking and unusual form, Allium 'Forelock' brings a wild, windswept elegance to the garden. It builds upon the classic drumstick shape with a dramatic flourish. The main bloom is a dense, elongated oval of burgundy florets that gradually lightens to a soft green at the base. Bursting from the top is a spectacular, trailing crest of long, thread-like purple florets that resemble a lock of hair caught in the wind. This tufted "forelock" gives the bloom an incredible sense of movement and drama. It’s an ideal choice for adding a sculptural, artistic touch to borders and gravel gardens. The two-toned effect and unique silhouette make 'Forelock' a standout specimen that bridges the gap between cultivated formality and untamed natural beauty.

A vision of pure, bridal white, this allium brings delicate elegance and a fresh sparkle to the late spring garden. Often known as the Naples Garlic, 'Cowanii' is a select, more robust form that produces loose, airy umbels of pristine white, star-shaped flowers. Each floret features a subtle green eye, adding to its charm. Unlike the dense globes of other alliums, these blooms create a light, see-through effect, perfect for illuminating shady corners or weaving through bolder colours in a border. They are fantastic cut flowers, prized by florists for their long vase life and graceful appearance in bouquets. Plant them in generous sweeps to create a cloud of white that brightens the landscape and bridges the gap between spring bulbs and summer perennials.

Announcing its arrival with truly impressive stature, 'His Excellency' stands as one of the tallest alliums available. Reaching heights of over 4 feet, its thick, sturdy stems are topped with huge, 8-inch globes of lilac-pink flowers. This variety blooms a little later than 'Globemaster', helping to extend the allium season further into summer. The enormous flower heads are packed with starry florets, creating a ball of colour that adds a powerful and architectural element to the back of the border. Its sheer size and regal posture make it a standout specimen that draws the eye from across the garden, earning its distinguished name with every bloom.

A true foliage champion, 'Ivory Queen' is a showstopper before it even thinks about flowering. This compact variety produces huge, broad, architectural leaves of a stunning silvery-blue that unfurl like a lotus. Nestled right in the centre, on a short, sturdy stem, a perfect 4-inch globe of creamy-ivory flowers appears. The whole plant is a perfectly designed object, ideal for the front of the border, rock gardens, or containers where its magnificent leaves can be fully appreciated. It’s a low-growing allium that offers a huge amount of textural and visual interest from spring through summer.

Bring a splash of pure sunshine to your garden with this delightful and vigorous allium. 'Jeannine' is a superior selection of the classic Golden Garlic, prized for its larger, more numerous flower clusters. It produces cheerful, cup-shaped umbels of brilliant, canary-yellow, star-like flowers that are guaranteed to brighten any corner. This compact plant is perfect for the front of sunny borders, rock gardens, or for naturalizing in drifts under deciduous trees where it will multiply happily year after year. Its bright blooms are not only a visual treat but are also long-lasting and incredibly easy to grow, asking for little more than a sunny spot to put on their dazzling show. A reliable and rewarding choice for adding a long-lasting pop of vibrant yellow.

A rare and exceptionally beautiful species, Allium tripedale is a treasure for the discerning gardener. In late spring, it sends up sturdy stems topped with large, hemispherical clusters of delicate, bell-shaped flowers. The blooms are a soft, ethereal pinkish-white, with each individual floret nodding gracefully from its pedicel. This variety forms an impressive clump over time, creating a lush and romantic display. Its broad, glossy green leaves are also highly ornamental, adding to its appeal long before the flowers appear. Perfect for a moisture-retentive, partially shaded spot in a woodland garden or border, it offers a soft, graceful beauty that is quite distinct from the more common sun-loving, globe-shaped alliums.