A bit of a purple post today, due to the rather gorgeous alliums currently flowering away. I have two varieties in the garden - Allium Gladiator above was purchased last autumn and the bulbs were HUGE! I was expecting a suitably enormous flower head, but in fact, they have turned out to be not much larger than Purple Sensation (the other variety I have) although the stems are much thicker and more solid.
Here is Allium Purple Sensation which has been reliable since they were planted about three or four years ago. I have noticed that the flower heads seem a bit smaller than they were - weather conditions, or aging of the bulbs?
Another Gladiator - I bought three bulbs.
Gladiator flower head close up.
A trio of Purple Sensation.
Just for a change, here is an osteospermum which I found at the weekend at a florist's in town. It is only an annual, but I shall enjoy looking at the deep purply/maroon flowers over the summer.
Velvety rich purple petals - lovely!
gorgeous colours Ellie, I planted some alliums the other year, I think they are sensations and they look really good.I like those really big alliums you can get but I'm not sure what they are called.
ReplyDeleteDear Anne
DeleteThank you. I really like them too. Are the ones you are thinking of called Allium Christophii? They have large heads of flowers and I had forgotten, but I do have one of those in the garden too, although it isn't ready to flower yet, which is probably why I overlooked it!
Best wishes
Ellie
Those alliums are so gorgeous. I think i have the same variety growing in my garden but I'm hopeless at saving labels and remembering varieties of plants I'm afraid. But whatever they are they make me happy every time I look at them. I hope yours do the same for you. x
ReplyDeleteDear Gillian
DeleteThank you. They do indeed make me happy as does the sunny weather we have had which has really given the plants a huge boost!
Enjoy your garden (and the weather) too!
Best wishes
Ellie
Those look very good, Ellie. I had three Allium Christophii that gave huge blooms then the winter cold and wet of the previous winter had, I thought, killed them off. Last week though, I saw that one has survived or, a seed had germinated. I look forward so much to seeing it bloom.
ReplyDeleteDear Toffeeapple
DeleteThank you. I hope your allium continues to do well and that you enjoy the flower when it appears. My alliums are smaller than in previous years, but I don't know whether that is due to the cold winter or some other reason. They are beautiful flowers.
Best wishes
Ellie