Allium Violet Beauty - ORG

Allium ‘Violet Beauty’ was introduced in 1979, and it has stood the test of time. Not because it is spectacularly large or has a striking colour, but because it does something that few other ornamental alliums do so well: it breathes. The open flower heads have an airy structure, with each little flower on its own slender stem, in a warm violet that stands out beautifully amongst the green perennials in late spring.

The comparison with Christophii

You could compare it to Allium Christophii, the Star Allium. Both have that open, fanned-out flower structure that you don’t find in the more compact alliums. But the Violet Beauty has a more compact flower and stands on taller stems, giving it a more graceful, less heavy silhouette in the border. Anyone who finds the Christophii too large or too broad will find the Violet Beauty to be a more elegant variety without losing any of its character.

Among grasses and perennials

The Violet Beauty is the ideal border allium. It combines beautifully with ornamental grasses such as Stipa or Pennisetum, with blue Salvia or Geranium, and with other alliums of varying heights. Plant it in groups of five or more for the best effect. The bulbs are hardy and can be left in the ground after flowering. The seed heads are also decorative and continue to add structure to the border well into autumn.

Planting and care

Plant the bulbs in autumn at a depth of approximately 12–15 cm in a sunny spot with well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Space them 15–20 cm apart. It returns reliably every year and becomes fuller with age. Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering before removing it. Organically grown, certified NL-BIO-01.