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Allium sphaerocephalon (Drumstick Allium)

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

Allium Sphaerocephalon,Drumstick Allium,Drumstick Allium, Roundhead Leek, Round-Headed Allium, Ornamental Onion, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers, Purple 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 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. Plant in groups (at least 20 to 25 bulbs) for the best visual impact.
  • 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 Caucasus, Iran, and northern Africa.

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 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 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.

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 Amaryllidaceae
Genus Allium
Common names Ornamental Onion, Onion, Drumstick 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)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
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 Drought, Deer, 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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Alternative Plants to Consider

Allium cepa Aggregatum Group (Shallot)
Allium cepa (Onion)
Allium sativum (Garlic)
Allium ‘Purple Rain’ (Ornamental Onion)
Allium ‘Pinball Wizard’ (Ornamental Onion)
Allium ‘Ostara’ (Ornamental Allium)

Recommended Companion Plants

Anemanthele lessoniana (New Zealand Wind Grass)
Achillea millefolium ‘Cerise Queen’ (Yarrow)
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii (Mediterranean Spurge)
Eryngium planum ‘Blue Hobbit’ (Sea Holly)
Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion)
Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)

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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.
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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 Amaryllidaceae
Genus Allium
Common names Ornamental Onion, Onion, Drumstick 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)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
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 Drought, Deer, 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
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Allium
Guides with
Allium
Not sure which Allium to pick?
Compare Now

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