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Allium virgunculae
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A compact, clump-forming, bulbous perennial to 25cm tall with tufts of thread-like leaves to 1mm wide. Up to twelve star-shaped, pink-purple flowers are borne in loose umbels in summer

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Purple Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Allium are bulbous herbaceous perennials with a strong onion or garlic scent, linear, strap-shaped or cylindrical basal leaves and star-shaped or bell-shaped flowers in an umbel on a leafless stem

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Japan

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in reasonably fertile well-drained soil with full sun at the front of the border. Further allium cultivation advice

Propagation

Divide clumps in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to onion fly

Diseases

May be susceptible to onion white rot and downy mildew and occasionally leek rust

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