Allium nevskianum (Turkistan Onion)

Very decorative, Allium nevskianum (Turkistan Onion) is a compact, bulbous perennial with globe-shaped clusters, 4-6 in. wide (10-15 cm), packed with starry purple-pink flowers in late spring or early summer. The blossoms are borne on sturdy stems just above the beautiful foliage of broadly elliptic, often purple-flushed, gray-green leaves. Rich in nectar, the flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. They make excellent cut flowers too. This charming Allium is great for borders, rock gardens, and containers.

• Grows up to 4-6 in. tall (10-15 cm).
• Performs best in fertile, sandy to gritty, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Add grit when grown in clay soils to improve drainage. This Allium is drought tolerant after flowering is over.
• Known for attracting bees, butterflies, ​moths, and other pollinators, but deer ignore it.
• Stunning in beds and borders, gravel gardens, rock gardens, and containers. Spectacular in large sweeping drifts. Plant in groups (at least 10 to 15 bulbs) for the best visual impact. Excellent as cut flowers for both fresh and dried arrangements!
• To be planted in fall.
• Deadhead to prevent self-seeding. Do not remove leaves until they have completely died down.
• Propagate by offsets, seed.
• Allium nevskianum is native to central Asia.

Hundreds of Allium species exist, but only a few have made a name for themselves as garden plants. The ornamental onions distinguish themselves by their remarkable diversity in color, inflorescence, and flowering height. Many species bloom in early summer – just after the spring-flowering period and just before the exuberant full bloom of summer. Certain small species are just perfect for a rock garden, and several lend themselves to naturalizing. All species can be used in the border.