Northwest Blooms · Bulbs
Allium aflatunense 'Purple Sensation'
Purple Sensation Ornamental Onion
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Height
- 2 to 3 feet tall
- Width
- 1 to 1.5 feet wide
- Flower color
- Purple
- Foliage color
- Gray-green
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low to moderate; prefers well-draining soil
- Maintenance
- Low; deadhead spent flowers and allow foliage to die back naturally
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers, while deer and rabbits tend to avoid them
About this plant
Allium aflatunense 'Purple Sensation' is a bulbous perennial from Central Asia, renowned for its globe-shaped, rich purple flower heads that bloom in late spring to early summer. The star-shaped flowers form dense, spherical clusters up to 5 inches across, atop sturdy stems, creating a dramatic display. Its gray-green, strap-shaped basal leaves emerge in spring and wither by bloom time, providing a tidy backdrop. Ideal for sunny borders, rock gardens, and naturalized areas, 'Purple Sensation' thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, requiring minimal maintenance and attracting bees and butterflies.
Works well in
Borders · Sun Gardens · Containers · Cut Flower Gardens · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Sedums · Peonies · Coneflowers · Salvias · Shasta daisies · Asters
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Drift them in uneven groups for a natural look, and interplant with perennials that fill the gap after the leaves die back.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
