Gardening News

Mind the Gap

There is a point every spring, usually after the tulips and before the start of summer, when our borders can look rather flat. This is where alliums come in.

I have always felt that they are not as widely grown as they should be. Their rounded flower heads, carried above the surrounding planting, give the border something to draw the eye ahead of the summer plants.

With many of the taller varieties the foliage will begin to die back just as the flowers emerge. This is quite normal. Plant them among leafy perennials and their neighbours will hide the fading leaves, leaving the flowers standing clear above. Globemaster is the famous exception, large globular flowers of aster violet with glossy green broad foliage. An investment that will provide structure to the garden for many years.

There is no need to confine yourself to the tall varieties. The smaller alliums have their place at the front of borders and in pots. With careful selection you can have alliums in flower from late March into July.

As with most bulbs, good drainage matters. The taller border alliums want plenty of sun, so do not tuck them beneath a shrub which will shade them out by May. They can be left undisturbed from one year to the next.

Do not be too quick with the secateurs when the colour has gone. The dry flower heads can remain attractive well into summer. They are also useful for flower arrangements, both fresh and dried.

It is easy to be tempted by a pot of alliums in flower next spring. Planting the bulbs this autumn gives you a much wider choice and far superior plants.