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Key characteristics

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

Bulbs

Allium aflatunense 'Purple Sensation'

Purple Sensation Ornamental Onion

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.

Light

Full sun

Water

Low to moderate; prefers well-draining soil

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

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.