The Thompson & Morgan Allium 'Hair' offers a unique, whimsical touch to any garden, ideal for enthusiasts seeking an easy-to-grow, early summer bloomer with an eccentric appearance. This hardy bulb promises distinctive purple-hearted flowers adorned with green 'hair,' perfect for mixed borders or patio containers, though its modest height of 15cm should be considered for placement.
Eccentric 'Hair' Flowers: Features captivating purple-hearted blooms with distinctive green, hair-like filaments, providing a truly unique visual interest.
Early Summer Bloom: Bridges the gap between spring and summer, offering a fresh display of flowers when many other spring blooms fade.
Hardy Bulb: A resilient plant that can withstand various conditions, ensuring reliable performance in many garden settings.
Compact Growth: Reaches a modest height of 15cm (6in) and a spread of 10cm (4in), making it suitable for front-of-border planting, rockeries, or small containers.
Attracts Pollinators: Its charming flowers are known to attract beneficial insects like bees, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem.
Versatile Planting: Thrives in mixed borders, patio containers, cottage gardens, wildlife-friendly spaces, and low-maintenance landscapes.
Easy to Grow: A perfect choice for gardeners of all experience levels, requiring minimal effort for a rewarding display.
Bulb Quantity: Supplied as a pack of 20 bulbs, ensuring a plentiful and impactful display in your chosen area.
Distinctive and whimsical appearance adds unique charm to the garden.
Easy to grow, suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
Attracts beneficial pollinators and wildlife.
Versatile for various garden styles, including borders and containers.
Provides early summer interest when many spring flowers are finishing.
Low maintenance once established.
Modest height of 15cm (6in) may be smaller than expected for those accustomed to taller allium varieties.
Requires autumn planting for spring flowering, necessitating advance planning.
Due to its short stature, it is less suitable for tall cut flower arrangements.
No immediate bloom upon planting; requires a full growing season for flowers.
Distinctive and whimsical appearance adds unique charm to the garden.
Easy to grow, suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
Attracts beneficial pollinators and wildlife.
Versatile for various garden styles, including borders and containers.
Provides early summer interest when many spring flowers are finishing.
Low maintenance once established.
Modest height of 15cm (6in) may be smaller than expected for those accustomed to taller allium varieties.
Requires autumn planting for spring flowering, necessitating advance planning.
Due to its short stature, it is less suitable for tall cut flower arrangements.
No immediate bloom upon planting; requires a full growing season for flowers.
Allium 'Hair' is designed to be a delightful, low-maintenance addition that brings a unique charm to your outdoor space. Its compact size and distinctive appearance make it highly versatile.
Plant Allium 'Hair' at the front of mixed borders where its unique flowers can be easily admired. It pairs well with low-growing perennials or annuals, creating interesting texture and color contrasts. Imagine it peeking out from beneath the foliage of hostas or alongside early-blooming salvias.
Its small stature makes 'Hair' an excellent choice for patio pots and containers. Place them near seating areas or pathways to highlight their quirky charm. Combine them with other small, complementary plants like violas or sedums for a miniature garden display. A cluster of 'Hair' bulbs in a decorative pot can serve as a captivating focal point on a balcony or patio table.
These alliums are known for attracting pollinators, particularly bees, to your garden. Planting them contributes to local biodiversity, making your garden a more welcoming space for beneficial insects. Observe how these tiny visitors interact with the unique blooms.
For gardeners seeking beauty without constant upkeep, Allium 'Hair' is a perfect fit. Once established, they require minimal intervention, making them ideal for cottage gardens, wildlife-friendly spaces, or areas where you prefer a hands-off approach. Their hardiness ensures they return year after year with proper care.
To ensure your Allium 'Hair' bulbs flourish, proper planting and ongoing care are essential. These hardy bulbs are forgiving but benefit from a few key considerations.
Timing: Plant the bulbs in autumn, ideally from September to November, before the ground freezes. This allows them to establish roots over winter for spring flowering.
Location: Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade. Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day) will promote the best flowering.
Soil: Alliums prefer well-draining soil. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with organic matter like compost or grit to improve drainage and prevent bulb rot.
Planting Depth & Spacing: Plant each bulb approximately 10-15cm (4-6in) deep, with the pointed end facing upwards. Space bulbs about 5-10cm (2-4in) apart for a clustered, impactful display.
Watering: After planting, water thoroughly to settle the soil around the bulbs. In dry autumns, continue to water occasionally until the first frost.
Allium 'Hair' integrates well with a variety of garden plants. Its unique form and compact size make it suitable for:
Mixed Borders: Plant alongside early-blooming perennials such as Pulsatilla, Saxifraga, or low-growing ornamental grasses.
Rock Gardens: Its small stature is perfect for tucking into crevices or alongside alpine plants.
Container Gardening: Combine with spring annuals like pansies, violas, or small sedums for a vibrant pot display.
Wildlife Gardens: Complements other pollinator-friendly plants, enhancing biodiversity.
Watering: Once established, Allium 'Hair' is relatively drought-tolerant. Water during prolonged dry spells, especially from late winter through spring when growth is active.
Fertilizing: A balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied in early spring when new growth appears, but it's often not strictly necessary in fertile soil.
Deadheading: After flowering, you can snip off spent flower heads to prevent self-seeding and redirect energy back into the bulb. However, the dried 'hair' can also offer interesting texture.
Foliage: Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering. Do not cut it back prematurely, as the leaves are essential for photosynthesizing and storing energy for next year's bloom.
Winter Care: Being hardy bulbs, Allium 'Hair' generally does not require lifting in winter in temperate climates. A layer of mulch can provide extra protection in colder regions.