Alliums – Our range of ornamental onions

The allium family are include many edible plants like onions, leeks and garlic but there is also a wide range of ornamental onions. We grow lots of these throughout the year. They often get planted in great swaths in gardens as they can give lots of impact when they are in full bloom. There are lots of different types however and they can flower from Spring to Summer with the right variety’s. They will be a magnet for bees and butterflies and give structure in any border.

For big bold alliums chose ones like Globemaster and Ambassador, these have stunning big purple heads and are tall varieties great for the back of the border. Also look out for Gladiator that can have heads up to 20cm wide. We also grow White Giant which again is tall with massive flower heads but is white.

For something more medium size go for Allium Christophii or Allium Schubertii, both are mid height and have star like flowers. The leaves do die back before flowering.

For something more front of the border, there is now a great selection of lower growing, clumping alliums. Millennium was the first variety we stocked but this year we now have a great selection of these. New for this year is Bubble Bath a short variety with lavender flowers. These all flower later in the summer than the large single headed bulbs. We also have one called Sugar Melt which sounds lovely.

As well as our range of ornamental onions we also grow edible alliums, like Allium tuberosum ( garlic chives) which do have a garlicy taste. We also have Allium schoenoprasum (Chives) which are great in salads and have a subtle onion flavour. I like to put either in potato salads.

Look out for Alliums – our range of ornamental onions on our availability lists. You can also look at our catalogue for our full range of Alliums. https://www.prenplants.co.uk/catalogue/