Description
Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ is a popular bulbous perennial that is prized for its large, spherical, deep purple flower heads and attractive foliage. This cultivar is also known as the ornamental onion ‘Purple Sensation’. At the top of each stem, the plant produces a large, round flower head that is made up of hundreds of small, star-shaped, purple flowers. The flower heads are long-lasting and can be used for cut flower arrangements.’Purple Sensation’ is an excellent choice for borders, rock gardens, and container plantings. It can also be mass-planted for a stunning effect or used as a specimen plant in mixed borders. The plant is low-maintenance, easy to grow, and can be propagated by division in the fall. It is also relatively pest and disease-resistant. One thing to note is that after the plant flowers, the foliage may turn yellow and begin to wither. It’s best to leave the foliage in place until it has completely died back, as this will allow the bulb to store energy for the next growing season.
Key Facts
- Common Name(s):Allium ‘Purple Sensation’
- Hardiness:Fully hardy
- How big will I get? Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ can grow to a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m.
- Did You Know That:If grown in soil with no sulphur present at all, all Allium species will lose all their typical scent?
Plant Calendar
A rough guide to how this plant will change through the year.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
Flowering Time | ||||||||||||
Foliage Colour |
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
Care Guide
Soil Requirements
Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ is a versatile plant and can cope with wet or drier soils, but prefers there to be decent drainage. This plant can grow in soil with a wide range of pH levels, it is not picky about the pH level of the soil.
Best Position
Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ prefers a sheltered position and requires full sun to thrive, this consists of more than six hours of direct sunshine per day.
Maintenance
Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ is fairly low maintenance and doesn’t require any pruning. Alliums are often kept untouched through Autumn and Winter due to the attractive shape of their seed head which is reminiscent of the flowers just without the colour. Any remaining growth can be cut back in early Spring to encourage fresh growth or immediately after flowering if you are wanting more space in your borders.
Pest, Diseases and Wildlife
Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ is generally pest free, it can be vulnerable to certain diseases such as downy mildew. It is also known to attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. It is toxic to cats and dogs.