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The Mesmerizing Magic of Purple Ball Alliums

With their distinctive spherical blooms perched atop tall, slender stems, alliums make a statement in any garden. Of the many varieties, purple ball alliums are especially eye-catching. Their vibrant purple globes seem to defy gravity, adding architectural interest to beds, borders, and containers. If you want to add a touch of magic to your garden, look no further than these sensational purple ball alliums.

These alliums offer a feast for the eyes thanks to their unique form and rich color. The blooms start off egg-shaped then open into nearly perfect spheres measuring 4-12 inches across. Comprised of dozens or even hundreds of tiny star-shaped florets, they resemble exploding fireworks or giant pom-poms. Their deep purple hue provides a dramatic contrast to most other flowers. These structural blooms make excellent cut or dried flowers. With proper care, the bulbs multiply quickly, ensuring more of these sculptural beauties every year.

One of the most popular purple ball alliums is Allium aflatunense, also known as Persian onion or ornamental onion. Its globes measure 4-5 inches across and are a vivid violet-purple. The variety Purple Sensation is similarly well-loved, with saturated purple globes atop stems growing up to 3 feet tall. For something a bit different, try Allium christophii, commonly called Star of Persia. Its flower heads can reach an impressive 12 inches in diameter and pack over 100 flowers into one globe. Smaller varieties like Allium oreophilum offer the same distinctive shape in a more petite package; its magenta blooms are just 2 inches wide.

To grow these sensational bulbs, plant them in fall, 6-8 inches deep and 8-12 inches apart. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil Cut back the foliage after it fades to keep the garden looking tidy. The bulbs are winter hardy in zones 4-8; mulch them in colder climates With proper planting depth and soil drainage, alliums are quite drought tolerant. The globes appear in late spring and early summer, adding excitement after spring-blooming bulbs have faded. Some varieties like ‘Millenium’ extend the show into late summer.

Alliums pair beautifully with classic cottage garden plants like roses, foxgloves, and catmint. Try combining them with salvia, yarrow, Shasta daisies, and ornamental grasses. They make a stunning contrast to the frilly, ruffly blooms of peonies and bearded iris. Underplant short varieties with sweet alyssum or creeping phlox for a lovely combination. The vertical nature of alliums’ stems works well among airy perennials like lavender and coreopsis.

These hardy bulbs are beloved for their visual appeal, but they offer more than meets the eye The globes attract pollinators to the garden, providing nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds Deer and rodents usually avoid them, making alliums a smart choice where these pests are a problem. Some varieties like A. schoenoprasum (chives) and A. tuberosum (garlic chives) provide tasty edible blossoms and leaves.

For gardens wanting more than just green shapes and traditional blooms, alliums are a must-have. Their whimsical forms and rich hues bring excitement to beds, borders, and containers. Look for new and unusual varieties to find fresh colors and forms. Plant en masse for maximum impact. With proper siting and care, these fabulous bulbs will multiply quickly to provide more blooms every year. If your garden could use a dose of magic and whimsy, turn to the spellbinding, gravity-defying blooms of purple ball alliums. Let their sculptural spheres and saturated color cast their enchanting spell over your garden!