Planting Allium Bulbs

Grown for their showy flowers in early spring to mid-summer (depending on variety), ornamental onions, or alliums, are easy to grow and we have a wonderful selection of in different colour ranges from purple to white, and even yellow. Many varieties make long lasting cut flowers and are bee friendly.

Alliums do need a sunny position and fertile, well-drained soil to grow well. They can also be grown in containers - use a mixture of 50:50 loam-based (John Innes No 3) compost and multi-purpose, with added horticultural grit to ensure it’s a well-drained mix. Plant as soon as possible to a depth of around four times the diameter of the bulb (see individual packet for specific depth instructions).

Our favourites include Allium cristophii (height 30-60cm) with huge flower heads, great for use as a dried flower (see photo), Aliium sphaerocephalon (50-90cm height), which has unusual dark reddish-brown flower heads, and Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ (height up to 1m) with lovely large deep purple flowers.

Find our range of allium bulbs online by clicking here.