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Allium 'Atlas'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

allium 'Atlas'

Bulbous perennial growing to a height of around 1.2m. Large, rounded heads of purple star-shaped flowers with green centres are produced on strong, erect stems from May until June. Ideal as a cut flower, both fresh and dried

Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Green
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Allium are bulbous herbaceous perennials with a strong onion or garlic scent, linear, strap-shaped or cylindrical basal leaves and star-shaped or bell-shaped flowers in an umbel on a leafless stem

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil. Add grit to clay soils to improve drainage. Care should be taken in colder regions to mulch or plant in pots and move to a frost-free location See allium cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division: once flowering is over and leaves have died down, lift the bulbs, detach any offsets, and plant them in their final positions or grow on first in gritty compost

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to onion white rot and downy mildews

Get involved

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