Allium sphaerocephalon

Description

The flowers of Allium sphaerocephalon are a distinctive reddish-purple. Allium sphaerocephalon or ‘Drumsticks’  as it is more commonly known is an ideal allium for using as cut flower or can be left in the garden as it is also very attractive to pollinating insects such as bees.

Cultivation instructions

Alliums are superb for attracting bees and butterflies and will naturalise very well in most soils that are well drained. Feed with bone meal or similar during the leaf and flowering stage to ensure future good growth and performance. Alliums perform very well when planted with early flowering perennials.

They prefer to be grown in the sheltered semi shaded areas of the garden in a well drained, fertile soil. Cultivate soils to a depth of 20cms and plant bulbs 10cms deep and 8-10cms apart. In heavy soils such as clay add grit or humus matter to help with drainage and plant slightly shalower. In sandy soils add organic matter to help with fertility. They will naturalise really well and after a number of years may need to be divided, at which time lift them when the flowers have died back and re-plant.

Care Tips:

Alliums are ideal to grow in borders with herbaceous plants, alliums and early flowering lilies. They can also be used as cut flower or for dried flower arrangements.

Alliums are amongst the last of the spring bulbs to flower so will extend that blaze of colour into your garden. The later flowering varieties are also ideal for planting with wallflowers.

Protect early growth in the spring from slugs and snails and remove dead heads after flowering (if not using as a dry flower) to get the best from them.  Ideal foods are well rotted manures, tomato feed and bone meal.

Growing Information

Flowering Height: 60-70cm

Flowering Period: June-July

Aspect: Ideal in semi shade but will also grow well in full sun.

Soil type: Free draining fertile soils that are neutral to alkaline.

Planting Depth: 10cms

Planting Distance: 8-10cms

New season top quality bulbs dispatched from September on-wards