Allium 'Drumsticks'

The vivid, burgundy balls open late spring to summer (for us, late November to January). The flowers emerge green and gradually gain colour, from the top to the bottom, lasting a gloriously long time in their rich, purple hue, then finally turn a shade of straw.

You can get the best display when you plant them in groups. Drumstick Alliums make ideal companions for ornamental grasses and mix admirably well with perennials. Their tall stems pop through wherever they are planted and their foliage is unobtrusive. They even make a nice compliment to roses (members of the garlic family, Amaryllidaceae). In short, they can be easily used in a variety of landscape locations to create stunning effects

Drumstick Allium flowers are long lasting in the garden and grow 2-5cm long. They are fantastic for cutting, looking good for a couple of weeks in a vase.

Their reliability in returning year after year makes them easy to work with, naturalising bulbs don't need to be lifted. Simply plant and enjoy their joyful mark to the seasons, plus the bees loves them!

Alliums are tough, hardy, and beautiful too! As members of the onion family, their bruised, or crushed foliage smells just like onions. It is edible but not as flavourful as the real thing. The petals are a great way to jazz up a salad.

Plant into a well drained soil in a sunny position. They need at least six hours of sun and a warm spot in the garden in order to thrive. Plant to a depth of around 10cm. They grow well in moderately fertile to humus rich, well drained soils and are dry tolerant once established.

Drumstick Allium bulbs are best left to naturalise; lifting and dividing them only as they become overcrowded. This means you can relax and leave them in the ground year after year and simply enjoy the late spring flowers. For best blooms, add a well balanced fertiliser in summer.

It is a good idea to protect the foliage from slugs and snails.

Other common names for Allium sphaerocephalon are Round headed Allium, Roundheaded Leek and Ornamental Onion.