STAR OF THE MONTH

Allium sphaerocephalon

In May, we were awash with alliums: white ones, purple others with blooms as big as a bundled lemur. They are a big part of our early-summer gardens, but by July, they have faded to handsome but less colourful seedheads. Except they haven’t all gone over, as in July we have the pleasure of the drumstick allium, so called because, if Ginger Baker was ever caught short of a stick, he could conceivably use them for a bit of a paradiddle. Wouldn’t last that long though, so best keep them for a bit of extra colour instead.

Plant as bulbs in autumn. Best in company with other plants as they need a bit of support. H x S 90cm x 8cm