Purple Sensastion (Allium) Flowering onion. http://aekohy.notlong.com 28 May 2008 Allium hollandicum, 'Purple Sensation', Flowering Onion. This beautiful Allium flower is one of my favouites. It is almost shaped like a purple snowball. Some seeds were allowed to drop, and there are numerous small plants forming, so I should have a large cluster next year, which should be most attractive.
Two years ago a friend gave us an onion bulb to plant. Last spring it produced a colorful flower head. So last fall we planted several bulbs. This spring there they were a row of Allium gladiators. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/2497541134_7db748763e.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2282/2497541184_8acb75ce41.jpg
How long from seed drop to flowering size? I usually let seed fall, but my clumps haven't increased with these as much as with other types of bulb, such as snowdrops or nerines.
I don't know the time it takes from seed to blooms, but will separate the plants and find out next year. They are too crowded at the present time.
