About
Allium cepa (Cepa Group) 'Quattro' is a robust perennial that serves dual purposes as both an ornamental and culinary plant. Its slender, green foliage resembles grass and offers a flavor profile that combines elements of chives and garlic. From June to October, it produces globe-shaped purple blooms that are scentless, making them suitable for use as cut flowers.
About the genus
Allium consists of bulbous herbaceous perennials characterized by a pronounced onion or garlic aroma. They feature linear, strap-like, or cylindrical leaves that arise from the base. The flowers, which can be star-shaped or bell-shaped, are arranged in an umbel atop a stem that lacks leaves.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbs - Culinary, Bulbs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a sunny location in moisutre-retentive soil or in large pots and containers on their own, or as part of a mixed display. See RHS chives grow your own guide for further advice
- Pruning
- Remove faded leaves and spent flowers
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in early spring. Plants purchased from nurseries or garden centres can be potted out in early spring onwards. Lift and divide large clumps in the spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to leek rust