Overview

Allium 'Little Dean' is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Allium, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Allium 'Little Dean' 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 'Little Dean' is a clump-forming cultivar of the Allium genus, which comprises bulbous herbaceous perennials known for their distinctive onion or garlic scent. This deciduous plant produces star-shaped or bell-shaped flowers arranged in umbels atop leafless stems during spring and summer. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, with a tolerance for a range of soil pH levels. Hardy to UK zone H6, it suits various garden settings such as city courtyards, cottage gardens, gravel areas, and containers, and is also valued for cut flowers and wildlife gardens.

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 4.0Allium

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 'Little Dean' 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 'Little Dean'

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 'Little Dean'?

Allium 'Little Dean' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Allium 'Little Dean' need?

Allium 'Little Dean' 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 'Little Dean' hardy in the UK?

Allium 'Little Dean' 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 'Little Dean'?

Offsets, Seed.

More in the Allium genus

Browse all Allium