The Allium bulbs Purple Rain are bulbs of an ornamental onion with deep purple, globe-shaped flower heads. The long, sturdy stems grow to about 70 to 90 centimetres and keep the flowers upright even in some wind. This makes Purple Rain a rewarding cut flower, and the plant naturalises well: every year more flowers appear.

The bulbs are size 10/12 and each produce one flower head. You can use them in the border and in a planter or pot, but also in the lawn or at the edge of a group of trees, where they spread by themselves. With 40 bulbs you plant one or two large planters or a patch of one and a half to two square metres. With 80 bulbs you fill a strip along the path, and with 160 or 320 bulbs you create a purple sea in the grass or in a large bed; allow 20 to 30 bulbs per square metre. Combine them with white allium bulbs for a crisp contrast. You will find more greenery for outdoors among our outdoor plants.

When should you plant the Allium bulbs Purple Rain?

For the Allium bulbs Purple Rain the planting season starts in mid-October and runs until the end of November. The soil is then colder than 10 °C and the bulbs put their energy into roots instead of leaves. You can still plant in December, provided the ground is not frozen. Do not plant in spring; without a cold winter in the ground there will be no flowers.

When do the Allium bulbs Purple Rain flower?

The Allium bulbs Purple Rain are in flower from May through June. Each flower head is at its best for about three weeks and then dries into a decorative seed head. In a planter in a warm, sheltered spot flowering sometimes starts a week earlier, after a cold spring a little later. Because the plant naturalises, a group gets fuller every year, in the lawn too.

Care and tips Allium bulbs Purple Rain

Plant the bulbs about 10 to 15 centimetres deep, two to three times the bulb height, pointed end up and about 15 centimetres apart. In the lawn, use a bulb planter to make separate holes and set the bulbs in a natural, irregular pattern. The soil must drain well; improve heavy or wet soil with some sand. In a planter, use a pot with a drainage hole and a layer of clay pebbles in the bottom, for example from our outdoor pots and baskets. In the lawn, only mow over the bulbs once the foliage has completely withered, otherwise they will flower less the following year. A little bulb fertiliser in spring helps the bulbs spread.

Water needs of the Allium bulbs Purple Rain

Purple Rain is not demanding when it comes to water. Once rooted, the bulb draws enough moisture from the soil in the garden; only in a dry spring is an extra watering welcome. Water bulbs in a planter about once a week during the growing season, without keeping the soil wet. Too much water is especially risky in winter, because the bulbs can then rot.

Light needs of the Allium bulbs Purple Rain

This ornamental onion wants sun. In a sunny spot the stems stay strong and the purple is at its deepest. If you plant them near trees, choose the sunny edge rather than the shade beneath the canopy.

Are the Allium bulbs Purple Rain toxic?

The Allium bulbs Purple Rain are mildly toxic if ingested, like other plants from the onion family. Plant them out of reach of pets and young children. Wear gloves when planting if the sap bothers you.

How will my Allium bulbs Purple Rain be shipped?

Your bulbs are carefully packed and shipped. That way they arrive safely and fresh from the grower.