Bulbs & tubersAllium giganteum
Giant Allium
Giant allium is a striking bulb plant with large, globe-shaped purple flower heads on sturdy stems. The blooms appear in May and June and attract plenty of bees and butterflies. The dried seed heads remain decorative in the border well into autumn.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Height
- 80–150 cm
- Spread
- 15–30 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 5–8
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- purple
- Wildlife value
- bees, butterflies
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant the bulbs in autumn at a depth of about 15 centimetres in well-drained soil. Choose a sunny position, as shade causes floppy stems. Water sparingly — the bulb is prone to rot in soggy conditions. Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering so the bulb can store nutrients for the following year.
Pruning tips
Remove flower stems only once they have fully dried, or leave them standing as ornamental seed heads. Cut yellowed foliage at ground level once it detaches easily.
Good companions
ShrubsLavandula angustifolia
English Lavender
Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.
Ornamental grassesPennisetum alopecuroides
Fountain Grass
Fountain grass is an elegant ornamental grass that produces soft, bottlebrush-like plumes from August to October. The grass forms a dense, mound-shaped tussock and looks its best when backlit, with sunlight filtering through the feathery plumes. The flower heads and foliage turn warm golden-brown in autumn.
HerbsThymus vulgaris
Common Thyme
Common thyme is a compact, evergreen herb with small aromatic leaves and pink to white flowers. The plant is indispensable in the herb garden and blooms in June and July, when bees flock to it in droves. Thyme thrives best on dry, lean soil in full sun.