Alliums

Alliums are always welcome as the flowers offer height and that distinctive allium shape in the early summer when the garden is not quite so colourful. The typical allium exclamation mark shape lifts the blooms from the surrounding planting and allows one to "hide"  what is sometimes their distracting foliage, which is beginning to dry off at that time. Alliums are generally plants of sunny and well drained soils and can be used in regimented eye catching rows or sweeps or else in a more cottagy style, with isolated small groups to equally good effect. In days where we are all more careful to provide for the "wee beasties", the Alliums are good nectar bars for butterflies and other beneficial insects.