Allium ‘Purple Sensation’
Vibrant hues and crisp air in abundance, October is a delightful month to spend in the garden and embrace the beauty of nature. And to mark the beginning of this magical time, we have a real treat in store for you with the ‘Plant of the Month’ – the excellent Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ and what a sensation it is!
A great choice for impressive blooms, with enormous purple spherical flowers that emerge in late spring to early summer days – a perfect way to kickstart next year’s displays in style. The flowers sit on thin stems above a bed of deep green leaves.
Thankfully, the beauty of these Alliums can also be shared inside the home, as the flowers are easy to cut, dry, and include in ornate vase displays. Enjoy them for longer, and even share some with a loved one!
As purple Alliums, ‘Purple Sensation’ flowers really standout and contrast against white varieties, such as ‘Graceful Beauty’ or ‘Mount Everest’.
Check out Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ for yourself…
Tough and hardy with a reputation for being easy to grow, Alliums are closely related to onions, but aren’t edible, and will impress even in particularly poor weather conditions. A good option even for those newer gardeners or busy bees with less time on their hands to dedicate to their gardens.
Plus, we’re not the only ones who adore this variety, with the RHS awarding ‘Purple Sensation’ with the Award of Garden Merit, as proven performers, guaranteed to be suitable for UK gardeners at every level of experience. This is also labelled as a ‘Plant for Pollinators’ by the RHS, with flowers that attract the attention of bees and butterflies to offer you a lively display.
Tempted to grow these Alliums? Here’s how to plant, grow, and care for them!
Planting:
- Pick a spot of the garden where the soil drains well and where they will receive full sun.
- Plant Allium bulbs in early to mid-autumn in a sheltered site to prevent the top-heavy flower spikes from blowing over.
- Dig over the soil and remove any weeds before planting.
- Water well after planting, saturating the soil around the bulbs. Once established, Alliums are drought tolerant.
- In borders, plant bulbs in early autumn at a depth of about four times the diameter of the bulbs.
- In containers, Alliums will perform well in deep pots with a general-purpose potting compost and added horticultural grit.
- Underplant with Hostas, ferns, or other low-growing and hardy perennials, as they will help to disguise the leaves as they fade.
Aftercare:
- After planting, feed with a general-purpose feed such as our Blooming Fast Superior Soluble Fertiliser.
- You can remove dried flower hea
- Divide Alliums every three to four years or when the plants begin to look overcrowded and blooming decreases.
- Lift the bulbs with a garden fork or spade and pull the bulbs apart.
- Replant some in the original location and plant the remainder in a new spot.
Pruning and Trimming:
- The leaves die down at flowering time, so it’s best to plant Alliums where this foliage is masked by that of other plants.
- Avoid removing them while still green, as they provide the bulbs with energy for the following season.
