Allium Ostara

A pretty, deep purple-flowered hybrid plant, Allium jallium Ostara is a low-growing, bulbous, deciduous perennial that comes up year after year. The leaves are broad, strap-shaped, fragrant and blue-green. Tight heads of spherical, deep purple, star-shaped flowers are borne in summer, followed by firework seedheads; bees and other pollinators love the flowers. Plant 10-15cm deep and apart.  If you have heavy clay, it’s best to grow the plant in containers taken in for the winter, as the plant dislikes winter wet. Good in urban gardens, cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, gravel gardens and containers. Easy to grow, and no pruning needed. Congested clumps may be divided, or offsets taken – the plant won’t come true from seed. Ornamental onions should NOT be eaten.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any light, fertile, moist but well-drained or well-drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: Summer
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height:  36” (90cm) Spread: 20” (50cm) in 1-2 years