Allium cernuum
Approx. 0.5 litre pot
About this cultivar:
Allium cernuum, also known as nodding onion or lady's leek, is an entirely edible plant. Quite sweet actually. But it is best grown for it ornamental appeal - slender, upright stems start to nod at the head, hence the name. The nodding head is made of loose clusters of perfectly purplish pink flowers, each with its own stem. The effect is something like a pink chandelier. Or a shaggy, flushed, embarrassed, drunk. It depends on your sensibilities! Easy to grow, they can used anywhere - from pots to meadows.
- Position: Full sun, partial shade (prefers full sun)
- Soil: Almost any soil - grows well in Ballyrobert!
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Flowers: June, July, August
- Other features: Bees and Butterflies, Suitable for Container
- Hardiness: Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!
- Habit: Columnar or Upright
- Foliage: Deciduous
- Height: 15 - 45 cm (0.5 - 1.5 ft)
- Spread: 10 - 25 cm (0.3 - 0.9 ft)
- Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
- Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial, Bulb
- Colour: Pink, green
- Goes well with: Osteospermum, Iris, Lavender, Artemisia, Sage, Phlomis and perhaps Rosa.
About this genus:
Allium, also known as flowering onion, are disease resistant and very easy to grow in a wide range of conditions; from coastal areas to drought-prone areas to our own clay soil at Ballyrobert. They are bulbous, often edible, herbaceous perennials with a strong onion or garlic scent that is useful for warding off vampires.
Allium usually have pom-pom flowering heads that can be pink, yellow, lemon, powder-blue, purple, lilac, or white. They appear to flower for ever and insects love them. When Allium do stop flowering they don't droop-down - they dry-out! These dry flowers and stems add wonderful structure and offer an even longer 'flowering period'.
Great on their own they are also versatile plants. One use is weaving through other plants since they take up very little space on the ground and have an upright habit. We also grow a few of ours on a wall - it works! (we think). It is up to you what you do with yours! They are also great to grow in pots.
Some ideas: Try Allium next to pastels- we put the smaller ones next to Osteospermum. Or try them with Mediterranean plants like Lavender, Artemisia, Sage, Phlomis and perhaps Rosa. We also think their succulent appearance means they compliment Iris.
