Allium nigrum
- A wonderful, compact allium with beautiful globes of tiny white flowers.
- Spring flowers adored by bees and a host of other pollinators.
- Superb cut flowers, whether still in bloom or as dried seed heads.
- Unfussy and easy to grow, the perfect size for growing in pots or at the front of borders, gradually naturalising and multiplying.
- Supplied as 10 bulbs, size 10/12, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 40 cm (16 in) and width of 10 cm (4 in).
Product Description
With its semi-globe shaped flowerheads packed full of dozends of tiny cream flowers, each with a green centre, allium nigrum is a gorgeous variety, and a refreshing change to the more common purple alliums.
This is a compact allium, only reaching 40 cm (16 in) tall, making it ideal for growing in pots or towards the front of borders. Its strappy leaves for in clump just above ground level, leaving the flower stems to stand alone, enhancing the beauty of the flowers. Recommended by the RHS as a 'Plant for Pollinators' the flowers are produced throughout May and June and are a favourite with butterflies and bees.
The flowerheads gradually turn to seed, but maintain their shape, looking amazing if left on the plant over the winter, and Alliums look great as cut flowers, whether still in bloom or as dried seed heads – you can even spray them white or purple to bring back the flower colour.
Preferring a sunny location, alliums are not too fussy about soil type and will grow well, naturalising and multiplying over the years. Clumps can be dug up and split every few years to stop them becoming congested.
Supplied as 10 bulbs, size 10/12, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 40 cm (16 in) and width of 10 cm (4 in).
What Is Supplied
Plant Information
Top Tips
- Underplant with hostas, ferns or other low-growing, hardy perennial plants which will help to disguise the leaves as they fade.
Care Guide
Planting Advice for Alliums
- Plant allium bulbs in early to mid autumn in a sheltered site in full sun to prevent the top-heavy flower spikes from getting blown over.
- Dig over the soil and remove any weeds before planting.
- Water well after planting, saturating the soil around the bulbs. Once established, alliums are drought tolerant.
- In borders, plant bulbs in early autumn at a depth of about four times the diameter of the bulbs.
- In containers, alliums will do well in deep pots with a good general-purpose potting compost with a handful of horticultural grit added.
Aftercare Advice
- After planting, feed with a general-purpose feed such as our Blooming Fast Superior Soluble Fertiliser.
- Dried flower heads can be removed and made into indoor decorations or left on the plants to self-seed.
- Divide alliums every three to four years or when the plants begin to look overcrowded and blooming decreases.
- Lift the bulbs with a garden fork or spade and pull the bulbs apart.
- Replant some in the original location and plant the remainder in a new location.
Pruning and trimming advice
- The leaves die down at flowering time, so it’s best to plant alliums where this foliage is masked by that of other plants.
- Avoid removing them while still green, as they provide the bulbs with energy for the following season.
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