Stunning Tall Flowers with Round Purple Heads to Brighten Up Your Garden

As a gardening enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for unique and eye-catching flowers to plant in my backyard. Recently, I came across some taller flowers that have really grabbed my attention with their showy, spherical purple blooms. In this article, I’ll highlight these beauties and provide tips for growing them yourself

Alliums

One of the most popular flowers that fits the bill is ornamental alliums. These flowering onions produce rounded clusters of tiny purple flowers on tall, sturdy stems reaching 3-4 feet tall. With their large, globe-shaped blooms up to 10 inches across they make a big impact in the garden.

Some top allium varieties with charming round purple heads include:

• Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ – A classic variety with deep violet blooms on thick straight stems. It has excellent cut flower potential lasting up to 3 weeks.

• Allium ‘Globemaster’ – One of the largest alliums with huge 10-inch diameter heads. It has a long bloom time from late spring into early summer.

• Allium ‘Millenium’ – A mid-height allium at 15-20 inches tall. It offers neat clumps of flowers in a rich rosy-purple shade.

Alliums grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. For optimal flowering, plant the bulbs in the fall at a depth 2-3 times their size. These sturdy plants are drought tolerant once established. The flowerheads are long-lasting and make fantastic cut or dried flowers. Their nectar-rich blooms also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Echinops (Globe Thistle)

If you love the round shape but want some more unique texture, then you need globe thistles (Echinops) in your garden. These plants form prickly blue-green foliage and send up globe-shaped flower heads on tall stems rising above the leaves.

Some top globe thistle varieties include:

• Echinops ritro – This variety has bright metallic blue flowers and typically reaches 3 feet tall. The blooms are perfect for cutting and drying.

• Echinops bannaticus ‘Blue Globe’ – A compact 18-inch tall variety with intense violet-blue flowerheads. It blooms for weeks starting in midsummer.

• Echinops sphaerocephalus ‘Arctic Glow’ – A statuesque variety growing 5-6 feet tall. It has large powdery blue globes tinged with pink and green.

Globe thistles thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Give them plenty of room to spread out, spacing plants 2-3 feet apart. The spiky flowers hold up beautifully as cut flowers. And they attract bees, butterflies, and birds to the garden.

Craspedia (Billy Balls)

For a more whimsical look, grow Craspedia or Billy Balls. These fun plants are native to Australia and produce masses of tiny bright yellow ball-shaped flowers on tall upright stems. Each flowerhead is about an inch wide, resembling a small drumstick.

Some top varieties include:

• Craspedia ‘Billy Buttons’ – A prolific bloomer with flowers from early summer into fall. It forms a compact mound of grassy leaves topped with golden spheres.

• Craspedia ‘Gold Nuggets’ – A hardy variety growing 12-15 inches tall. It produces an abundance of golden blooms on dark stems.

• Craspedia ‘Goldfield’ – A taller variety reaching 2 feet with large pompom flowers. It’s heat and drought tolerant once established.

Grow Craspedia in full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. Give them space at 8-12 inches apart. These cute flowers work beautifully in borders, containers, and cut flower bouquets. The dried blooms keep their shape and color for months.

Growing Tips

Here are some top tips for growing tall flowers with charming round purple heads:

• Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours daily) for the best flowering. Morning sun is particularly important.

• Choose a site with well-draining soil. Amend clay soils with compost to improve drainage.

• Space plants adequately so they don’t compete for light and nutrients as they grow.

• Apply a slow-release balanced fertilizer at planting and again halfway through the growing season.

• Water thoroughly after planting and provide 1-2 inches of water per week during the growing season.

• Stake taller varieties like alliums and globe thistles to prevent toppling from wind and rain.

• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flower production. Leave some heads for seeds and wildlife habitat.

• Divide clumps when they become overcrowded, usually every 3-5 years. Replant divisions promptly.

EnjoyingPurple Spheres in the Garden

Add some drama and sophistication to your garden with statuesque plants boasting round, purple posies. Their unique globe shapes and rich jewel tones provide ample contrast to other flowering plants. Use them as focal points, backdrop plants, or in borders interspersed with complementary colors. Their nectar and pollen also entice pollinators, bringing vibrancy and activity. With proper site selection and care, you’ll enjoy their vivid blooms for years to come. Try adding a few this season for big, beautiful spheres of purple delight!