20 Varieties of Allium Flowers to Grow in Your Garden

If you’re familiar with allium flowers, you’ll know that they’re available in a wide range of colours while maintaining their signature, round, pom-pom shape. A stunning bloom that’s easy to cultivate, allium flowers are an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels. But what are the different varieties of allium flowers you should know about?

If you want to grow these flowers in your garden take a look at some of the more popular types of alliums and choose your favourites! Some varieties are more common than others, and there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes.

Purple Sensation

Also known as the Allium hollandicum. This flower has a deep violet colouring and features the allium flowers characteristically sturdy stems and round clumps made of star-shaped flowers. They work great as border flowers and can be cut and used as indoor décor. These purple flowers are not as hardy as the other varieties of allium and will not survive colder areas.

Allium ‘Gladiator’

This varieties’ lavender-blue flowers sit atop the 10-centimetre-long stems, making them the tallest of the allium flowers.

Allium ‘His Excellency’

This pink flower blooms from late spring until early summer. You can enjoy it as a border flower, statement plant or as cut flowers in vases. Bulbs need to be planted in rich, well-drained soil. If you’re using a container or pot, ensure that it is three times the length of the bulb you plant.

Allium ‘Mount Everest’

With creamy white flowers resembling the snow on Mount Everest, this flower is truly spectacular. It can grow to be around 90 centimetres in length, while the flower can reach approximately 15 centimetres in diameter.

Allium ‘Millenium’

Unlike other types of alliums, this rose-pink flower blooms in the middle of summer and not late spring. This variety is also less prone to reseeding and spreading.

Allium ‘Globemaster’

This violet-coloured flower is one of the biggest of the family with the flower cluster growing to around 25 centimetres in diameter. It easily adapts to its environment and will return each year.

Drumstick Allium

Also known as Allium sphaerocephalon or round-headed leek. The pink and purple varieties of this plant are stunning and feature an egg-shaped flower.

Star of Persia

Also known as Allium cristophii. This elegant flower is a greyish purple that can grow up to 20 centimetres in diameter and 40 centimetres high. This flower attracts butterflies and repels animals, turning your garden into a magical place.

Allium cernuum

Each stem of this type of alliums can produce up to 30 flowers that can be either white, lilac, or pink. When handled, the plant will emit an onion-like smell. To prevent reseeding and spreading, it’s recommended that you deadhead the plant regularly.

Allium ‘Mont Blanc’

This white beauty features flower clusters that can grow to be 10 centimetres in diameter. These hardy plants can grow up to 1.2 metres in length and may require staking for additional support to keep it upright in windy conditions.

Chives

Also known as Allium schoenoprasum. We’re taking a step back from the purely ornamental allium flowers and looking at the humble chive. Not only does the chive add a great pop of flavour to any dish, but the pale purple flowers of the plant can also be used for decorative purposes.

Moly

The moly, allium moly or golden garlic is a vibrant yellow flower. The stalks feature no leaves, putting all of the attention on the attractive flowers. Their long stems make them perfect for cut flowers.

Karataviense

Also known as Allium karataviense or Turkestan Onion. These pale pink flowers are often used for decorative purposes. Their diameter is only 8 centimetres, making them one of the smaller types of alliums.

Pink Lily Leek

Also known as Allium oreophilum. This rosy red or pink flower is easily identifiable by the dark veins in the centre of each petal. They self-seed and need to be monitored to prevent excessive growth.

Allium nigrum

While it’s also referred to as a black onion, the flower is ironically white or a pale shade of lilac. They easily adapt and will grow and thrive in almost any condition. They’re also incredibly hardy and will return year after year.

Blue allium

These blue flowers, almost sky-like are smaller than most varieties, with the flower clusters only growing to around 5 centimetres in diameter and 60 centimetres in length. Optimal growing conditions include rich, well-drained soil with full sunlight, although they aren’t too fussy about the soil conditions as long as it’s not drenched.

Three-Cornered Leek

Also known as allium triquetrum. This is one of the rarer types of alliums that thrives in the shade and not full sun. These flowers are hermaphrodites which means that they contain both genders in one plant. Unlike the other varieties of allium, they’re not hardy and prefer cooler growing conditions.

Allium nevskianum

This deep red flower is rarely grown, although it is truly a sight to behold. It can be planted as part of a feature garden or as the front border of a flower bed.

Allium schubertii

This purple flower differs from the rest as it grows spike-like flowers that can result in a rather dramatic effect when planted.

Allium ‘Dready’

Also known as Allium vineale. This plant does not resemble the rest. Instead, it has green dreadlock-like tendrils growing out of reddish flower heads.

Variety Is The Spice of Life – and Gardening!

The allium family consists of a wide range of plants that can include vegetables and garnishing, and ornamental flowers. Not to mention the wide variety of colours and sizes.

Some of the varieties of alliums pom-pom flowers only grow to 5 centimetres in diameter, while others can reach a diameter of almost 330 centimetres. Depending on the space you have available and the purpose of planting the flower, you’re bound to find the perfect fit within the spectacularly vibrant allium family.