22 Beautiful Varieties of Ornamental Allium

I love growing allium in gardens. They are one of the most rewarding flowers. You plant these bulbs in the fall, and then voila, in the spring an allium sprouts up.

You don’t have to wait years for it to mature like some perennials (I’m looking at you, peony). It is a perfect spring flower. They are shaped like a perfect orb that floats on a delicate stem. Just the thing to add a touch of whimsy to your garden.

If you are familiar with allium, you probably know this perfect purple flower. But did you know they come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and colors? Here are some of my favorite allium varieties that you should consider adding to your garden for beautiful spring blooms.

‘Ambassador’

	bloom colors Purple
	height Height: 4′ Width: 1′

‘Ambassador’ allium is one of my go-to varieties. The bulbs are large, roughly about the size of a fist. They are more expensive. But if you are looking for impact in your spring garden, ‘Ambassador’ allium is just the thing.

These ultra-tall stemmed flowers have a large purple orb flower that is 8″ across. They can be seen from a distance, so they are perfect for beds that are farther away. They also make unique and stunning cut flowers.

‘Graceful Beauty’

	bloom colors White
	height Height: 1.5′ Width: 1.5′

‘Graceful Beauty‘ is a lovely little allium. It features small orbs of perfectly formed star-shaped white flowers. Every small flower has six petals and these small flowers form the flower head of the allium. Then it has graceful purple stamens that float out of each six petaled flowers. It is graceful and pretty. Not a typical allium.

The bulbs are fairly small, only the size of a quarter or so. As they grow you will end up with more and more of these sweet little flowers. They are perfect for containers and garden borders.

‘Hair’

	bloom colors Green
	height Height: 1.5′ Width: 8″

If you like weird and wonderful quirky plants, then you must add ‘Hair’ allium into your garden. ‘Hair’ allium is a small variety. It has a dark burgundy center, and then sprouts of wild green tendrils sprout out of it like a wild hair day.

The bulbs are about the size of a quarter. They are a fairly petite allium. ‘Hair’ would be good in front of a garden bed or border. They would also make an interesting plant to add to a spring container design.

‘Persian Blue’

	bloom colors Blue
	height Height: 1.5′ Width: 8″

Persian Blue alliums are lovely alliums with blue tinted flowers. They have the familiar allium shape, where a single orb flower blooms on a single stalk. The flowers themselves that form the orb are light blue trumpet-shaped flowers. Blue is a rare flower color in the garden, so these are bound to be noticed.

‘Persian Blue’ alliums are small quarter-sized bulbs. These are perfect for garden borders and beds. They also make stunning cut flowers.

‘Art’

	bloom colors Purple
	height Height: 2′ Width: 1′

‘Art’ allium is a unique spin on a regular allium. They have a dark center from which long tendrils sprout. Each tendril is finished off with a tiny purple flower.

‘Art’ allium adds texture to your spring garden.  Plant them through your garden bed for a unique flair. They would also look good as a centerpiece in a spring container.

‘Gladiator’

	bloom colors Purple
	height Height: 5′ Width: 1.5′

‘Gladiator’ is another of my favorite allium blooms. It is big and bold and makes a statement in the garden. These huge blossoms can reach 5′ in height, and the blooms are about the size of a softball. The blooms are tight orbs of soft lavender flowers. The stems are very straight and sturdy.

These make such big flowers because they are such big bulbs. You might only get one or two per package, and they will be more expensive. The bulbs are about the size of a fist, and they will grow to their gigantic size the following spring.

They look great planted in rows and lines for formal plantings. Just remember they will be done blooming and dying back in the summer. So have something else planted that can take over, or you will be left with a hole in your garden.

‘Millennium’

	bloom colors Light purple
	height Height: 1.5′ Width: 1′

‘Millennium’ alliums are a clumping variety that grows in a nice mound that is covered in round purple allium blossoms. The foliage is grassy like a daylily, and then stalks of light purple orbs rise above it.

The grassy foliage will start to die back as the flowers bloom. You can try covering the bottoms with a ground cover or low-growing perennial to hide the browning foliage.

Unlike most allium, ‘Millennium’ is more of a rhizome than a bulb. This is how it forms a clumping mound. Also, it blooms in the mid-late summer instead of spring. This is a great variety to plant to extend your allium season.

‘Summer Bells’

	bloom colors Pink and white
	height Height: 3′ Width: 1.5′

When I think of allium, I generally think of the purple lollipops of flowers. But they aren’t all like that. Allium ‘Summer Bells’, also sometimes known as Sicilian honey garlic, is very different.

These tall flowers rise on a single green stem, much like typical allium. But the loose trumpet-shaped flowers hang downwards on the stem. The flowers are creamy white striped with pink. They make an interesting cut flower.

These flowers bloom in late spring. The bottom foliage on them will turn brown and appear messy once the plant starts blooming. Plant this flower behind other plants in your garden. That way, you will only see the unique blooms rising out of the garden and not the mess of dying foliage beneath it.

Once these flowers are pollinated, they will close up and point upwards. It looks very cool. The leaves and stalks are also edible and have a mild garlic flavor to them (think garlic scapes).

‘Schubertii’

	bloom colors Purple
	height Height: 1.5′ Width: 6″

‘Schubertii’ is another funky variety of allium to try in your garden. It is burgundy-purple and has a small orb of small loose flowers. Then like an explosion, a second layer of tendrils sprouts out and has a single bloom on the end of each. It looks like a Martian flower.

The bulbs are about the size of a head of garlic. But they will also self-seed, which will eventually form into bulbs and grow new allium. These look great in garden beds and make interesting cut flowers.

‘Azure’

	bloom colors Blue
	height Height: 2′ Width: 1′

‘Azure’ is a lovely blue allium. This tall variety has the classic allium shape but is a light periwinkle blue. The flowers are up to 2″ across and are densely packed with tiny trumpet flowers.

The bulbs are the size of garlic, and they will grow and spread. You will end up with more flowers over time (as with most varieties).

‘His Excellency’

	bloom colors Purple
	height Height: 5′ Width: 2′

‘His Excellency’ is a big, and tall allium variety. They tower above the perennial garden reaching up to 5′ tall on long stems. They are a lilac purple color and form a tight ball of flowers that can be up to 6″ in diameter.

The problem with many alliums is that the foliage will start to die back by the time the flower blooms. The foliage on ‘His Excellency’ stays greener, longer, so you don’t have to worry so much about hiding the bottom foliage. These flowers are large and make amazing cut flowers.

‘Eros’

	bloom colors Pink/purple
	height Height: 1.5′ Width: 1′

‘Eros’ is a very pretty variety of allium. It doesn’t have the tight orbs shape as a typical variety. Instead, it has sprays of star-shaped flowers. The flowers are a pinkish-purple hue and form clusters on single stems. This variety almost reminds me of pink agapanthus (lily of the Nile).

This variety is a petite variety with small quarter-sized bulbs. Plant them in the front of garden beds and borders. ‘Eros’ would also be a good choice to plant in containers.

‘Globemaster’

	bloom colors Purple
	height Height: 4′ Width: 2′

If you want a huge, dramatic allium, then you need ‘Globemaster’. This is the largest allium on the market. This variety produces huge spheres of flowers on a sturdy stem.

The flowers can reach up to 10″ in diameter. They are guaranteed to add drama to your spring garden. The bulbs are large, around the size of an orange. Plant them deep and watch them grow in the spring. They make spectacular cut flowers.

‘Purple Sensation’

	bloom colors Purple
	height Height: 2′-3′ Width:  1′

When I think of allium, ‘Purple Sensation‘ is the typical all-purpose variety that comes to mind. The flowers rise 2-3’ and have perfectly perfect orbs.

As a bonus, this variety is one of the easiest ones to find in your local garden center in the fall. They are a darker purple color.

 I like to mix these in with some of the larger varieties (‘Gladiator’, ‘Ambassador’, or ‘Globemaster’). The larger varieties are much more expensive, so bulking them up with ‘Purple Sensation’ is a cost-effective way to get a lot of alliums in your garden.

‘Mont Blanc’

	bloom colors White
	height Height: 4′ Width: 1.5′

‘Mont Blanc’ is a nice spin on a traditional allium. They have the same form as a regular allium. A slender stem with a tight ball of small flowers. But, as the name suggests, ‘Mont Blanc’ is pure white.

Try planting this variety on its own in a white and green-themed garden. Or mix it in with ‘Purple Sensation’ allium for a fun combination of purples and whites.

‘Yellow Fantasy’

	bloom colors Yellow
	height Height: 2′ Width: 1.5′

‘Yellow Fantasy’ is a bright yellow variety of allium. It is a bright sunshine color, perfect for spring. It grows on slender stems with loose, wispy yellow bell-shaped flowers. Some of the airy tendrils point upwards. Others drape downwards to form the classic allium shape.

Plant this variety in and amongst a dark purple variety such as ‘Purple Sensation’. Or pair with other purple spring blooming flowers like irises for a classic spring color combination. They also make cheerful cut flowers.

‘Drumstick’

	bloom colors Burgundy
	height Height: 2′ Width: 1′

These sweet little alliums are tall but small. They are more of an oval shape than the traditional round orb of most alliums. It has small, tight bulbs of tight flowers.

They are a burgundy color on the top and green below. It’s a sweet flower that looks great in informal wildflower/cottage gardens.

These small bulbs can be added anywhere to gardens. They will spread and grow through the garden.

‘Ostara’

	bloom colors Burgundy
	height Height: 1′ Width: 1′

This stubby little allium is the perfect thing to add to your spring garden border. It is a burgundy-purple color and has a perfectly formed 4-6″ sphere of flowers of a typical taller variety. This stout allium looks great in the front of garden beds, or they would make a sturdy choice for containers.

The bottom foliage in this allium is wider,  almost like tulip foliage. It has some presence and looks good in the bed, so it isn’t necessary to cover up the foliage with other plants, which is great since this variety is so short.

‘Star of Persia’

	bloom colors Purple
	height Height: 1.5′ Width: 1′

This popular variety of allium looks like a burst of fireworks. It’s a relatively short variety. It forms a loose sphere where the star-shaped flowers are at the tips of the flower.

The orb of flowers is large and can reach 8-10″ in diameter, making it a large flower that stands out. It is on a shorter stalk, making it a good variety for garden borders. It would also be a good choice for growing in a container.

‘Mount Everest’

	bloom colors White
	height Height: 3′ Width: 1.5′

‘Mount Everest’ is another white variety. It is fairly interchangeable with ‘Mont Blanc’ allium. They are on tall stems with small orbs of creamy white flowers. Mix them in with other purple varieties to add a bit of depth and dimension to your garden.

They also make a great filler in a bouquet. Try a bouquet with three huge blossom alliums (e.g. ‘Gladiator’) with five ‘Mount Everest’ blossoms in between.

‘Party Balloons’

	bloom colors Purple
	height Height: 2′ Width: 1.5′

A friend of mine gifted me ‘Party Balloons’ allium bulb, and I love it. It produces three allium flowers from a single large bulb. They are purple spheres that reach up to 2′. They will all be slightly different heights, like a bouquet of balloons. It’s a perfect arrangement.

This is the perfect variety for use in a container since one bulb plant will make three flowers. The bottom leaves are thicker than some of the grassy-bottomed varieties. It adds a nice touch of foliage to the arrangement.

‘Red Giant’

	bloom colors Red
	height Height: 10″ Width: 1.5′

‘Red giant’ is a very stubby variety. It only reaches a maximum height of around 1′. But it has a large flower orb of a typical regular-size allium. This large orb is nestled into broader leaves. It is a reddish-purple color (not true red).

Plant this variety in the front of your garden beds. They would make an interesting border mixed in with other spring bulbs like tulips and hyacinths. Their small size also makes them perfect for containers.