This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: July to August
• Hardiness: fully hardy
• Bulb size: 5/-


A gorgeous allium with small, egg-shaped flowerheads, that top tall, slender stems in mid- to late summer. Planted en-masse in a border, these diminutive claret-coloured flowers look great emerging from a screen of foliage, or against a backdrop of then the flowers gently fade as summer comes to a close.


• Garden care: Bulbs can be planted 15cm deep and 15cm apart. Pot-grown plants can be enjoyed as they are while in bloom, but as the flowers fade, they should either be potted up or planted out in the garden. Avoid excessive mositure when the plants become dormant (from late summer) and lift and divide over-large clumps in autumn or spring.