Allium Pincushion
Allium 'Pincushion' photo courtesy of Walters Gardens

Ornamental Onion

'Pinchusion' is small-scale Alliumthat is perfect tucked along the front of the border. The narrow glaucous blue-green foliage has a tidy habit. Numerous clusters of lavender purple flowers spring up in midsummer, persisting for many weeks. Attractive seedheads remain after flowering has finished. Alliums are charming plants for the rock or herb garden. When the foliage is bruised, it smells like onions since they are in the onion family. Butterflies and honeybees adore the flowers' sweet nectar but deer and rabbits give it a miss.

  • Height: 35-40 cm (14-16 in)
  • Spread: 30 - 36 cm (12-14 in)
  • Cold Hardiness: Zone 4-8
  • Sun or Shade: minimum 4 hours of direct sun
  • Bloom Time: late summer to early fall
  • Leaf Colour: green
  • Bloom Colour: lavender purple
  • Critter Resistance: deer and rabbits
  • Nature Attraction: bees

Growing and Maintenance Tips

Allium 'Pincushion' is a low maintenance, well behaved perennial that will attract pollinators. It is easy to grow in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It performs best in full sun but will tolerate some light afternoon shade. It tolerates a wide range of soils including sandy soils but will not grow well in heavy clay. Although ‘Pincushion’ is a true bulb on a stout rhizome, it forms a clump which can be lifted and divided in either spring or fall. 

Specials

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