Allium Hollandicum Purple Sensation

A bulbous perennial with purple flowers held in a globe above short basal leaves. Position: full sun Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June Hardiness: fully hardy Allium bulb size: 10/12 Allium hollandicum 'Purple ...A bulbous perennial with purple flowers held in a globe above short basal leaves. Position: full sun Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June Hardiness: fully hardy Allium bulb size: 10/12 Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' is probably one of the most popular of all the alliums.

They have a striking silhouette which makes them particularly well suited to gravel or prairie-style planting schemes, but they also look fab in pots or mixed borders. Their densely packed umbels of deep violet, star-shaped flowers appear in early summer above strap-shaped grey-green leaves (which will have already started to die off by the time the blooms form). Therefore, they team up well then with things like herbaceous geraniums or ornamental grasses, which will help mask these leaves as they die off.

Garden care: Allium bulbs are easy to grow in a sunny spot with freely drained soil, or a good quality potting compost. Ideally they should be planted in September or October, but could also be planted in early November in milder regions. While keeping the size of the flowerhead in mind and avoiding overcrowding, dig holes roughly three times as deep as the diameter of the bulb and place them at the base, pointy side up before gently infilling and watering to settle them in.

In early spring, as growth begins, apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser, and allow the plants to die back naturally and completely before tidying away.