Alphabetical Plant Listing

Allium sphaerocephalon (Drumstick Allium)

Drumstick Allium, Roundhead Leek, Round-Headed Allium, Ornamental Onion, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers


Allium sphaerocephalon or 'Drumstick Allium' is a lovely addition to the border where it adds interest and movement with its dense egg-shaped flower heads atop straight and slender stems, delicately turning from green to purple as they mature. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this spectacular bulbous perennial adds some dramatic color to the garden

  • Grows up to 20-24 in. high (50 - 60 cm). This Allium naturalizes easily and will come back year after year.
  • Easily grown in rich, 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.
  • Stunning in beds and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, or containers. Spectacular in large sweeping drifts. For best visual impact, plant in groups (at least 20 to 25 bulbs).
  • Excellent as cut flowers for both fresh and dried arrangements! Beloved by florists for its long vase life!
  • Known for attracting bees, butterflies, ​moths, and other pollinators, but deer ignore it.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for onion white rot, and downy mildew.
  • To be planted in the fall.
  • Propagate by seed, sowing in containers in a cold frame when just ripe or in the spring. Alternatively, remove offsets in autumn.
  • Allium sphaerocephalon is native throughout Europe to the Caucusus, Iran and northern Africa.

Many hundreds of Allium species exist, but only a modest few have made a name for themselves as garden plants. The ornamental onions distinguish themselves by their great 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. All species can be used in the border. Certain small species are just perfect for a rock garden, and several lend themselves to naturalizing.

Learn How To Plant And Care for Your Spring Flower Bulbs

 To achieve optimum flowering results, it is important to plant the bulbs at the right time.

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Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 11
Heat Zones 1 – 11
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Allium
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 4" (10cm)
Spacing 2" (5cm)
Depth 4" (10cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage

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Great Plant Combination Ideas with Allium

Guides with Allium


Kevin Ti, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 11
Heat Zones 1 – 11
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Allium
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 4" (10cm)
Spacing 2" (5cm)
Depth 4" (10cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Allium

Guides with Allium

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