Complete Allium Collection
September marks an exciting time of the year for gardeners, as preparations for the bountiful displays of next year can finally get underway! Where better to start that with enviable spring-flowering allium bulbs, which can be planted now for displays when the weather starts to warm once more.
An ever reliable and popular option for autumn bulbs is the Complete Allium Collection, bursting with colour and shape. In fact, just one collection features 100 bulbs, perfect for filling those pots, beds, and borders with a uniform display.
Alliums are spring favourites, due to their ornate appearance and tough, hardy nature, so not only do they look good, but they are very easy to look after too! Plus, the flowers look great when snipped and included in an indoor fresh cut vase display.
Welcome spring days with a hum of wildlife, as these Alliums are also loved by beneficial insects and pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.
Varieties Included in the Complete Allium Collection
The collection includes a mix of seven Allium varieties, which look fantastic mixed together in one planting scheme. Just one Complete Allium Collection features all of these varieties:
Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ – Enormous bright purple spherical flower heads stand tall on thin stems above deep-green leaves. Closely related to onions, but not to be eaten, ‘Purple Sensation’ are very tough, hardy, and are particularly great for beginner gardeners.
Allium ‘Christophii’ – Giant lilac, almost solid, spheres of flowers stand majestically high on long stems above deep green leaves.
Allium ‘Siculum’ Nectaroscordum – ‘Siculum’ is actually a cousin of the standard Allium, but is a very close relative indeed! Nectaroscordum siculum produces up to 30 hanging flowers from each bulb. Looks wonderful in borders, but make sure to leave ample space around the bulbs to let them grow many flowers.
Allium ‘Nigrum’ – White globe-shaped flower heads sit above broad, ornamental, blue-green leaves on these wonderful Alliums. They look simply stunning wherever planted.
Allium ‘Moly’ – Yellow sparkler flower heads provide a wild and natural look at the front of borders.
Allium ‘Drumsticks’ – Delicate and dainty purple-tinged flowers perch on long, tall straight stems. These really standout when Alliums are planted together in a big group.
Allium ‘Neopolitanum’ – Lovely white small sparkler flowers, sometimes tinged blush pink.
‘Moly’
‘Neapolitanum’
‘Nigrum’
‘Purple Sensation’
‘Siculum’
‘Christophii’
‘Drumsticks’
How to Plant, Care, and Prune Your Allium Collection
- Find a location 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 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 do well in deep pots with a good general-purpose potting compost and a handful of horticultural grit added.
Aftercare Advice:
- After planting, feed with a general-purpose feed, such as Blooming Fast Superior Soluble Fertiliser.
- Dried flower heads can be removed and made into indoor decorations or left on the plants to self-seed.
- 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 Advice:
- 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 leaves while they are still green, as they provide the bulbs with energy for the following season.
For more tips on planting bulbs in autumn, check out our extended guide here.
