Allium sphaerocephalon
(Roundheaded Leek)
Family - Alliaceae
Category - Bulb
Origin - Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
Year of Introduction - 1594
Season of Interest - Summer
Hardiness - H7
Height - up to 90cm
Width - 10cm
Location - The Orchard, The Pond Garden, The Terrace
Description: A bulbous Perennial with an upright habit. Aromatic, mid-green leaves are linear to strap-shaped and held at the base of the stems. Many small green buds open to reddish-purple bell-shaped flowers. The Blooms are held in dense, rounded umbels atop slender, upright stems and are produced in midsummer. Good for use as cut flowers and attractive to pollinating insects.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Additional common name - Drumstick Allium.
Flower:
Many small reddish-purple, bell-shaped flowers are held in round, dense umbels. The flowerheads are held atop slender, upright stems and are produced in July and August.
Flower colour: Purple
Flower shape: Bell-shaped flowers held in umbels
Flowering time: July, August
Foliage:
Thin, aromatic linear to strap-shaped leaves are mid-green and have a fleshy texture. The leaves are held at the base of the stems.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Linear to strap-shaped
Propagation:
Seed or division of offsets.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.