Habitat: sunny places
Soil: good garden soil
Height: 15 cm
Flowering: spring
Width: 20 cm
These are onions with large heads of flowers, usually spherical, with the pointed petals giving the famed ‘exploding firework’ effect. In many of them the flower heads dry in the autumn, and can be used as spectacular Christmas decorations. Flowers are usually pink, purple or white, and leaves may be present at flowering time, or come earlier, withering as the flowers open. In the latter case, cut them back as the flowers start to open.These are onions with large heads of flowers, usually spherical, with the pointed petals giving the famed ‘exploding firework’ effect. In many of them the flower heads dry in the autumn, and can be used as spectacular Christmas decorations. Flowers are usually pink, purple or white, and leaves may be present at flowering time, or come earlier, withering as the flowers open. In the latter case, cut them back as the flowers start to open.
Allium karataviense 'Red Giant' differs from other forms of Allium karataviense in the deeper colour of the flowers - still not really red, but rich, deep pink. The flowers are in a large sphere on a short stem, about very broad blue-green leaves.
1 bulb £3.00
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| Allium cristophii is a stunning onion, with huge umbels (20-30 cm) of bright, metallic lilac flowers, on short stems. It is great when in flower, but it is outstandingly good at keeping its structure when in seed, so it can be dried for flower arranging, and particularly for Christmas decorations. | |
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| Allium fistulosum is an edible form with blue-green leaves that can be used like chives. The flower head in early summer is creamy white. | |
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| Allium flavum produces a wonderful mophead of up to 60 bright buttercup-yellow flowers with prominent stamens. | |
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| Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' is given away by its name. It is purple, and sensational. The large sphere packed with purple flowers is held on a tall stem, so it is best growing through lower plants, particularly if they have grey or silver leaves. | |
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| Allium karataviense has broad blue-green leaves with a metallic lustre, and a short stem with a large cluster of rosy pink flowers. | |
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| Allium karataviense 'Ivory Queen' is very short and squat, with broad blue-green leaves with a metallic lustre and dense umbels of white flowers. |