Overview
Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Allium, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include wildlife gardens and wildflower meadows. It is native to Iran and Kyrgyzstan.
About
Allium hollandicum, the Persian onion or Dutch garlic, is a species of flowering plant native to Iran and Kyrgyzstan but widely cultivated as an ornamental because of its umbels of attractive purple flowers. It is reportedly naturalized in Saint Louis County, Minnesota.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Allium hollandicum
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, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadows
- Native to
- Iran, Kyrgyzstan
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation'
- Cultivation
- Plant bulbs in autumn in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Requires minimal maintenance and benefits from staking in windy areas.
- Pruning
- Remove spent flower heads to prevent self-seeding and encourage bulb energy storage.
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Onion white rot, Downy mildews
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation'?
Plant bulbs in autumn in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Requires minimal maintenance and benefits from staking in windy areas.
Where is the best place to plant Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation'?
Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' need?
Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
How do I prune Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation'?
Remove spent flower heads to prevent self-seeding and encourage bulb energy storage.
How big does Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' grow?
Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' reaches a height of 0.5-1 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' hardy in the UK?
Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' 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 hollandicum 'Purple Sensation'?
Seed, Division.
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
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