Valued for their firework displays that supersede the cacophony of tulips, alliums have rightly become a stalwart of the garden and a familiar addition to our borders in late spring. Not only are their flowers rich in nectar and attractive to bees and other pollinators, but the spherical inflorescences add colour and architectural form to borders when in flower, and their intricate dried seedheads persist through to autumn. Now, thanks to continued breeding and recent introductions, there are new cultivars of these attention grabbing blooms that arrive a little later to the party, and we can enjoy alliums in our gardens all summer long.
Most alliums prefer a spot in full sun in reasonable, free-draining soil but some, including Allium angulosum and A. nutans, will take richer conditions and a little shade, while A. ursinum (wild garlic) thrives in deep woodland. All alliums generally fit into one of two groups: those that are bulbous and have a resting dormant period after flowering; and those that are clump forming, growing through spring and summer with persistent foliage. Traditionally, the most popular garden cultivars have been of bulbous species such as A. cristophii, A. giganteum and A. schubertii, that flower in late spring and early summer, with a few later contenders including A. atropurpureum and A. sphaerocephalon. In recent years there’s been a shift in interest and availability for the later, often clump-forming cultivars that tend to behave more like herbaceous perennials than seasonal bulbs.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Field of Dreams - The naturalistic gem Hans Gieszen has created in former meadowlands near Utrecht in the Netherlands is the culmination of a lifelong passion
Ever since his mother gave him seeds as a small boy, gardening has been a passion for Hans Gieszen. He is completely self-taught, relying on garden visits and books for instruction, with one book in particular, Dream Plants for the Natural Garden by Henk Gerritsen and Piet Oudolf, influencing his style. “It was fascinating,” says Hans, remembering his first encounter with the book. “All those photos – pictures with mists and these tall and low plants and grasses. I realised I couldn’t do it in my small garden, but I kept dreaming and reading about it.”
WORLD OF POSSIBILITY
This superb tour of the world's botanical gardens highlights their vital role in saving the planet's flora, says Claire Masset
THE FEMININE TOUCH?
Does your garden have masculine or feminine style, and does it even matter? Head gardener Benjamin Pope unpicks gardening's gender stereotypes
'If you emulate nature, you're on to a winner'
Gardener, television presenter and author Carol Klein talks about her new book, the books she loves, her current challenges and what she's up to next
FRIENDLY ADVICE
When tasked with creating a garden for her friends, designer Neive Tierney found the project came with challenges - not least the need to include a wheelchair ramp and squeeze in a saltwater swimming pool
Passing the baton
The celebrated nursery and garden at Marchants Hardy Plants in East Sussex is now being managed by a new team, who continue to inspire visitors with innovative planting
My sweet gourd
Clark Lawrence, an American living in the heart of Italy's pumpkin province, loves growing different cultivars of pumpkins and ornamental gourds for their sweet flavours and fabulous looks
ANDY JASPER
The new CEO of the Eden Project on his excitement about a new chapter, the legacy he's left at the National Trust and his joy at heading home to Cornwall
Bedding in
In just under nine years, the owners of Arvensis Nursery in Wiltshire have created a mature garden that displays their high-quality perennials
Late summer dreams
From cool pastels and foliage to hot colours, designer Jo Thompson creates three stylish container combinations for autumn
