List 10 – Allium sphaerocephalon
Allium sphaerocephalon (drumstick allium)
Family: Amaryllidaceae
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Size:
- 1-1.5 ft
- 2-3 ft tall
Soil & Water requirements:
- Dry to medium moisture
- Well-drained
- Best if irrigated consistently throughout growing period; after flowering they can handle some drought
Exposure:
- Full sun
Leaves:
- Cylindrical, grassy, grey-green leaves
- Foliage forms a clump in the spring; followed by flowers
- If bruised, leaves and stems have a slight oniony fragrance
- Bulbous perennial; deciduous
Flowers:
- Dense, sphere-like clusters of flowers born on upright stems
- Stems are 24-36” tall
- Bloom begins as a deep green and then develops into an attractive, deep rose/red/purple
- Not fragrant
- Early summer bloom
Suitable uses:
- Beds and borders
- Cottage gardens
- Open woodland gardens
- Mass planting
- Rock gardens
- Container planting
- Cut flowers
Attracts:
- Butterflies
Other:
- Will self-seed
- Fairly tough
- Nice contrast between dark green stems and purple flowers
Cute, dainty plant