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Allium sphaerocephalon 'Spider'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

allium 'Toabago'

A deciduous, upright bulb with airy umbels of widely-spaced, starry, purple flowers each on long stems radiating from a central point in early summer. Height to around 60cm

Synonyms
Allium 'Spider'
Allium sphaerocephalon 'Spider'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in fertile well-drained soil in sun. Add grit when grown in clay soils to improve drainage. Plant in autumn. See allium cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by offsets in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to onion white rot and a downy mildew

Get involved

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