Windy City Allium

Ornamental onions have become featured plants in recent years. From the giant blooms planted as spring bulbs to the well-known chives, everyone is planting them for effective color, and trouble-free gardening. Most are pink or lavender, but the Windy City Allium stands out for its darker purple blooms, while being just as easy to grow. Standing about 18 inches tall in bloom, with 2-inch flower heads, it comes into bloom around mid-summer, and lasts a whole month in flower, looking just great. You can leave the spent heads to dry on the plant for fall and winter effect, without any worry about seed spreading – this variety is virtually sterile. The strap-like leaves are dark green and stay attractive all season, making this a great plant for edging, in planters under shrubs and large plants, and in rock gardens or retaining walls. A valuable nectar source for butterflies and pollinators, attracting those beautiful creatures to brighten your garden.

• Large heads of purple flowers
• Blooms for weeks in mid-summer
• Valuable for butterflies and pollinators
• Rarely produces any viable seed
• Very easy to grow and drought tolerant

Full sun will give you the best results from the Windy City Allium, which grows well in any well-drained soil, including sandy and dry soils. Drought resistant once established and untroubled by pests, diseases, deer or rabbits. You can leave the flower heads for ornament, or pull them out, leaving the foliage. Cut back in late fall or early spring, before new growth emerges, depending on how cold your winters are.