Allium cepa (Cepa Group) 'Quattro'

RHS Plant Profile
onion 'Quattro'

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onion 'Quattro' RHS
Herbs - Culinary Bulbs
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A large, hardy perennial grown as a both a decorative and edible plant, with edible, grass-like thin green leaves which have a taste somewhere between chives and garlic. Globe-shaped purple flowers appear in June through to October and, as they have no fragrance, make ideal cut flowers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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 a sunny location in moisutre-retentive soil or in large pots and containers on their own, or as part of a mixed display. See RHS chives grow your own guide for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed in early spring. Plants purchased from nurseries or garden centres can be potted out in early spring onwards. Lift and divide large clumps in the spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Remove faded leaves and spent flowers

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to leek rust