Allium sphaerocephalon

Criss and I first saw this growing in the garden at Charlston Farmhouse in East Sussex about 35 years ago. It has been a staple in our double flower borders and the dry climate gardens now for 25 years. Around Christmas and the turn of the new year, metre tall stems are topped by green golf balls which over a period of a week or so gradually turn deep purple. As the Drumstick Allium takes up little horizontal space, we plant them to flower through perennials. The bulbs increase readily. Sun. 100cm x 10cm. Very popular with visitors and much asked about plus a great favourite of the bees.