Allium 'Drumstick'

Allium 'Drumstick': The Architectural Gem of the Summer Border

Add unique texture and movement to your garden with the Allium 'Drumstick' (Allium sphaerocephalon). Distinct from the traditional large globe alliums, this variety features slender, egg-shaped flower heads that start as emerald green and mature into a rich, two-tone reddish-purple. These bulbs are celebrated for their wild, naturalistic look, often swaying gently on tall, wiry stems in the summer breeze. Blooming later than most other alliums, they are the perfect choice for extending the season of interest in your garden, bridging the gap between late spring bulbs and high summer perennials. They are exceptionally tough and drought-tolerant, making them ideal for gravel gardens or sunny, dry borders.

• Evolving Colour: Watch the transformation as the tight flower heads change from green to pink, and finally to a deep crimson-purple from the top down.

• Late Bloomer: Flowering in mid-to-late summer (often July), they provide colour when other spring bulbs have long finished.

• Space Saving: Their tall, thin stems and compact heads allow them to weave easily through other plants without taking up much ground space.

• Wildlife Friendly: Like all alliums, they are a favourite of bees and pollinators, who flock to the dense clusters of florets.

Gardener's Tip: The "Floating" Effect

Because the stems of the 'Drumstick' Allium are so thin and wire-like, they can be almost invisible from a distance. To create a magical effect where the purple flowers appear to 'float' in mid-air, plant them in groups amongst silver-leaved foliage plants or low ornamental grasses. This hides the stems and leaves, leaving only the bobbing purple heads visible for a whimsical, airy display.

Green's of Ireland - Online Garden Shop