Drumstick Allium Sphaerocephalon

The Drumstick Allium. Dating back to the 16th century, this terrific naturalizing heirloom has dense, egg-shaped composite flowers that open green and mature to rich crimson-purple. Perched atop wiry, yet strong stems, 1″- to 1 1/2″-wide round composite flowers dance in the breeze as the individual florets open from the top down with shimmery silver-white stamen. Each composite flower becomes more egg-shaped as it matures. Best planted en masse, it is one of the most cost effective of all Allium (along with A. aflatunense Purple Sensation), perfect for thick drifts in mixed perennial beds, meadows and natural settings. Don’t let anyone weed the thin wiry stems as they emerge in late spring! It too is rabbit-, rodent- and deer-resistant and much loved by bees, butterflies and helpful pollinators. Bulb size: 6 cm/up. July. HZ: 4-9. Height: 24″.  Photo credit to Van Engelen Inc.