Purple Sensation Allium
Allium giganteum 'Purple Sensation'
A spectacular ornamental allium that produces stunning 4-6 inch spherical flower heads on tall, sturdy stems in late spring. The deep purple globe-shaped blooms create dramatic architectural elements in perennial gardens and are exceptional as cut flowers. This award-winning variety naturalizes well and returns year after year with even more impressive displays.
Sun
Full sun
Zones
4–8
USDA hardiness
Height
1-6 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Purple Sensation Allium in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 allium →Zone Map
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Purple Sensation Allium · Zones 4–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | July – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | June – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | June – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | May – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | April – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Type: Capsule.
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Storage & Preservation
Fresh-cut Purple Sensation alliums last 7-10 days in arrangements when properly conditioned. Immediately after cutting, place stems in lukewarm water and re-cut stem ends under running water. They prefer cool room temperatures and benefit from flower food containing antibacterial agents.
For dried arrangements, hang cut stems upside down in bundles of 5-7 stems in a dark, well-ventilated area. Proper drying takes 2-3 weeks and results in attractive seed heads that maintain their spherical shape for months. These dried stems work beautifully in fall and winter arrangements.
You can also preserve individual flower heads by cutting stems short and inserting them into floral foam for table arrangements. The globular seed heads develop interesting texture as they dry naturally in arrangements, transitioning from deep purple flowers to silvery-brown architectural elements.
History & Origin
Origin: Himalayas, Western and Central Asia
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Rabbits
- +Attracts: Butterflies
- +Low maintenance
Considerations
- -Toxic (Flowers, Fruits, Leaves, Roots, Seeds, Stems): Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Roses
Alliums repel aphids, thrips, and other pests that commonly attack roses
Tomatoes
Alliums deter aphids, cutworms, and may reduce fungal diseases in tomatoes
Carrots
Alliums repel carrot fly and other root pests while improving soil structure
Brassicas
Alliums deter cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles from cabbage family plants
Lettuce
Alliums repel aphids and slugs that commonly damage lettuce leaves
Strawberries
Alliums deter slugs, aphids, and nematodes while not competing for nutrients
Peppers
Alliums repel aphids and may reduce soil-borne fungal diseases affecting peppers
Marigolds
Both repel similar pests and create complementary pest control barrier
Keep Apart
Beans
Alliums can inhibit nitrogen fixation and stunt growth of legumes
Peas
Sulfur compounds from alliums interfere with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in pea roots
Asparagus
Alliums can stunt asparagus growth and reduce spear production
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170000)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent disease resistance, very low maintenance
Common Pests
Few pest problems, deer and rabbit resistant
Diseases
Root rot in poorly drained soils, otherwise very healthy