Overview
Allium amethystinum is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Allium, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Allium amethystinum grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens, cut flowers and flower borders and beds.
About
Allium amethystinum is a bulbous herbaceous perennial in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Sicily, Crete, Malta, Albania, Bulgaria, and the former Yugoslavia, and cultivated elsewhere as an ornamental. It is one of several species that horticulturalists refer to as "drumstick onions" because of the tight spherical "knob" of flowers at the top, resembling a drumstick.
About the genus
Allium is a large genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants with 1112 accepted species, making Allium the largest genus in the family Amaryllidaceae and among the largest plant genera in the world. Many of the species are edible, and some have a long history of cultivation and human consumption such as the onion, garlic, scallions, shallots, leeks, and chives.
Wikipedia contributors, "Allium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Allium
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Allium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Allium amethystinum size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Allium amethystinum
- Propagation
- Offsets, Seed
- Pest resistance
- Allium leaf miner, Onion fly
- Disease resistance
- Onion white rot, Onion downy mildew
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Allium amethystinum?
Allium amethystinum prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Allium amethystinum need?
Allium amethystinum is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Allium amethystinum hardy in the UK?
Allium amethystinum has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Allium amethystinum?
Offsets, Seed.
More in the Allium genus
- Allium 'Judith'
- Allium 'Summer Beauty'
- Allium cepa 'Goldito'
- Allium christophii (albopilosum)Star of Persia
- Allium hookeri 'Zorami'Hooker Chives
- Allium phanerantherumconspicuous-anthered garlic
- Allium 'Millenium'
- Allium schmitzii