Allium hookeri 'Zorami' (Hooker Chives) — Clump forming

Overview

Allium hookeri 'Zorami' is a plant with a clump forming habit in the genus Allium, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Allium hookeri 'Zorami' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, city and courtyard gardens, coastal, gravel garden, wildlife gardens, cut flowers and flower borders and beds.

About

Allium hookeri 'Zorami' is a clump-forming Allium in the Amaryllidaceae grown for its summer flowering. It has deciduous foliage and produces an upright display from May to July. Plant it in sun on a sheltered, south-facing site in a neutral loam where drainage is good. Its habit suits mixed borders and containers where seasonal flowering is wanted.

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

In the garden

Allium hookeri 'Zorami' is a clump-forming member of the Amaryllidaceae with deciduous leaves and a defined summer flowering period from May to July. As a garden Allium it brings upright, architectural flowers through the early to mid summer months and then retreats as foliage dies back. Position it in full sun on a south-facing, sheltered site and use a loam-based soil of neutral pH that drains freely; poor drainage encourages rot, so well-drained conditions are important. The plant is rated H6 (very hardy), so it tolerates exposed winters in much of the UK provided the soil is not waterlogged. These specific siting needs — sunlight, south aspect and a sheltered microclimate — give it the best chance of reliable flowering. Where it works: group bulbs in flower borders and beds, use in cottage and informal mixes, and place in city courtyard containers or gravel and coastal schemes where free-draining loam can be provided. It is suitable for wildlife gardens and for cutting; stems available at their peak between May and July. The deciduous foliage dies back after flowering, freeing space in the border for later-season plants.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Allium

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Loam
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil moisture: Well-drained
Aspect: South-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H6

Plant details

Allium hookeri 'Zorami' size, habit and characteristics

Habit: Clump forming
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds