Introducing...
Border alliums
Flowering in spring and early summer these plants combine well with other early-flowering perennials. Tall alliums provide vertical accents in sunny borders, while short ones are ideal near the front of the border. Buy and plant as bulbs to plant in autumn, or as potted plants in spring.
Looks
White, violet, purple or yellow star-shaped or bell-shaped flowers appear in late spring to early summer, either gathered tightly into a drumstick-like head or dangling in a looser cluster at the tops of stems.
Likes
Border alliums need free-draining soil in sun or light shade.
Dislikes
Very wet, heavy soils can cause bulbs to rot. They will not flower freely in shade.
Did you know?
Even after flowering the dried flower heads can look attractive in the garden or be used in flower arrangements.
Growing guide
How to grow alliums
All the information you’ll need to grow & care for alliums in your garden.
Border alliums we recommend
Allium sphaerocephalon
round-headed leek
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Allium sphaerocephalon
round-headed leek
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Useful advice
Bulbs: naturalising
Bulbs: planting
Bulbs: propagation
Perennial borders: choosing plants
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.