Allium Hidcote

An enduring garden choice with pendent heads of rosy purple bells on narrow, dark stems. The grass like foliage clusters at the base. You can leave the flower heads stand right into winter where they will remain decorative (or collect the seed for sowing). Allium ‘Hidcote’ holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit so you can be assured of its vigour and durability.

The flowers of Allium ‘Hidcote’ are gorgeous in a vase and will last up to two weeks, but if you can resist picking them, they will grow to form decorative seed heads. The blooms and foliage are edible and can be used to jazz up salads.

Alliums are tough, hardy, and beautiful too! They are members of the onion family and when the foliage is bruised, or crushed it smells just like onions.

Plant into well drained soil in a sunny position. The soil drainage is important as the bulbs rot easily if left in bog. Adding some lime and compost to the soil will give them a good start in the garden. In heavy soils adding some grit will help with to maintain airflow around the roots.

Plant to a depth of around 7-10cm or three times the height of the bulb. Once planted, Allium bulbs are best left to naturalise. This means you can relax and leave them in the ground year after year and just enjoy flowers as they rise. To help them on the way, add a well balanced fertiliser in autumn. Don’t forget to mark their position (we use wooden kebab sticks just out of the ground) as you don’t want to put a spade through one!

Our Tip: Plant amongst summer perennials that emerge to keep the foliage hidden. As with most Alliums, the leaves begin yellow as the blooms take off. It is also a good idea to protect new foliage from slugs and snails (it emerges in spring). Also you want to keep them relatively dry during summer dormancy or ensure sharp drainage.

Common names include Ladies Leek and Nodding Onion.

Supplied as: Pots