Allium 'Ambassador'

Allium 'Ambassador': Purple Planets Hovering Over the Border

Huge deep purple globes on tall, strong stems, floating above the border like it's hosting a state dinner. 'Ambassador' has diplomatic immunity from deer. NO VISA. NO BROWSING.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Allium 'Ambassador'
• Common Name: Ornamental Onion
• Height: 90–120 cm (3–4 ft)
• Spread: 30–45 cm (1–1.5 ft)
• Flowers: Large, round heads of deep purple, star-shaped florets on tall, strong stems
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June)
• Foliage: Long, strap-shaped grey-green leaves at the base that fade around bloom time
• Features: Good cut and dried flower

Where to Plant: Plant it in groups of three or more in the middle or back of a sunny border, where the globes float above shorter plants. The leaves yellow as the flowers open, so tuck it behind something leafy. Deer and rabbits tend to pass it by, which helps in suburban and cottage-country gardens.

Companion Plants: Let these giant purple globes float above a sunny, well-drained bed that takes over once they finish. Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' carpets the front at 5 to 10 cm with rose-red flowers from June to August. Gaura 'Whirling Butterflies' adds airy white flowers at 60 to 90 cm from June to September. Malva sylvestris 'Zebrina' brings striped mauve saucers at 60 to 120 cm over the same months. Pennisetum Lumen Gold™ glows bright gold in spring at 30 to 60 cm, hiding the allium's fading leaves.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun to part sun in average, well-drained soil. Bulbs rot in soggy ground, so add grit or plant on a slope if you have heavy clay. Water while it's in active growth in spring. Once the leaves die down in summer, it prefers to stay on the dry side. Let the leaves wither naturally so the bulb can recharge for next year. Leave the seed heads standing for structure, or cut them for dried arrangements. Clumps can be lifted and divided after the foliage dies back in summer if they get crowded.

History: 'Ambassador' is a garden hybrid closely tied to Allium giganteum, the giant onion of Central Asia. Ornamental onions from that region have been grown in European and North American gardens for well over a century.

Final Thoughts: Plant a cluster in fall and let it negotiate with the bees next spring. Cut a few for the dining table. DIPLOMACY HAS NEVER LOOKED THIS ROUND.