Allium ‘Early Emperor’ (ornamental onion bulbs) £4.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average to fast Flowering period: May Hardiness: fully hardy Rounded clusters of star-shaped flowers, each with a prominent cluster of near-white stamens, which give the flowerhead a pale shimmer, appear on top of the upright stems in early summer. Wonderfully statuesque, it looks a great in a pot – or plant them through a border filled with rich pinks, purples and white. Garden care: Plant bulbs 15cm deep and 15cm apart to enjoy the full effect of the flowers. Avoid excessive mositure from late summer when they become dormant. Over-large clumps can be lifted and divided in autumn or spring.

Allium ‘Gladiator’ (allium bulbs) £9.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June Flower colour: lavender-purple Hardiness: fully hardy Quickly forming good-sized clumps of mid green leaves, from which the sturdy, upright stems emerge in early summer bearing large rounded flower heads. The lavender-purple flowers blend well with most shades of pink, as well as stronger purples and plums. Garden care: Plant 15cm deep and 20 – 30cm apart so the flowers don’t get over-crowded. Make sure the soil does not get too wet or waterlogged and split and divide large clumps in spring or autumn.

Allium ‘Globemaster’ (ornamental onion bulbs) £4.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 18/20 Largish spherical flowerheads made up of numerous star-shaped, deep violet flowers appear in summer. The enormous flowerheads, measuring up to 15cm, look great in pots or borders where they can be seen in their full glory. They are also perfect for a sunny border, dotted in groups among ornamental grasses, or as part of a Mediterranean scheme. Alliums look best planted between medium-sized herbaceous plants, which help to mask the strap-like leaves, which fade by the time the flowers appear. Garden care: Enrich the soil with added compost and plant the bulbs 15cm deep. Space them at 25cm intervals to take full advantage of the big flower heads. Make sure the soil does not get too wet or waterlogged, and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.

Allium atropurpureum (ornamental onion) £8.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average to fast Flowering period: May to June Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 7/8 A new addition to our range of Alliums, that immediately shot to the top of our wish-lists. In early to midsummer, each upright stem is crowned with a rounded cluster of small flowers, which seem to hover like large, brilliantly coloured jewels above the foliage. Each flower is made up of deep pink to purple petals surrounding a blueberry-purple centre, which creates a vibrant and exciting contrast of colours. Their drumstick shape is great for adding diversity to the border, while their sturdy stems makes them ideal for cutting. If left in the border after the flowers have faded though, the subsequent seed heads will add months of structural interest. Garden care: Avoid excessive moisture from late summer when they become dormant. Over-large clumps can be lifted and divided in autumn or spring.

Allium cernuum (nodding onion bulbs) £4.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, moist but well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to July Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 1 On slender, upright stems, loose clusters of up to 30, purplish pink flowers appear in summer. Each individual flower has a long stem, so they form graceful, chandelier-like heads above the slender, strap-shaped foliage. Vigorous and easy to grow, they are particularly effective in meadows or other naturalised planting schemes where they can be allowed to form large clumps. Garden care: Plant bulbs 5 – 10cm deep and approximately 5 – 10cm apart. Avoid excessive mositure from late summer when they are dormant, and split and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.

Allium giganteum (ornamental onion bulbs) £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to July Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 18/20 Dense globes of small, star-shaped, lilac-pink summer flowers on towering stems appear in summer above pale green leaves. This gorgeous ornamental onion – the tallest currently available – is perfect for providing vertical interest in a sunny border. Try it dotted in small groups among ornamental grasses, or as part of a Mediterranean scheme. Garden care: Plant the bulbs 15cm deep and 20cm apart to avoid the flowers being to crowded. Avoid excessive soil moisture and split and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.

Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ (Dutch garlic bulbs) £4.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size:10/12 Strap-shaped grey-green leaves start to die back before the densely packed umbels of deep violet, star-shaped flowers appear in early summer. Its striking architectural silhouette makes it particularly well suited to gravel or prairie-style planting schemes. Garden care: Plant bulbs 15cm deep and 15cm apart to enjoy the full effect of the flowers. Avoid excessive soil moisture, and split and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.

Allium neapolitanum Cowanii Group (ornamental onion bulbs) £5.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average to fast Flowering period: April to May Hardiness: fully hardy Open clusters of pure white flowers appear in late spring or early summer, creating a soft, lacey effect. The flowers last for ages after being cut and the bees will find them very attractive, so try to plant them in large numbers. In smaller gardens, they look great in pots where they can sit on a sunny patio. Garden care: Plant bulbs 10-15cm deep and 10-15cm apart. Avoid excessive mositure from late summer when they become dormant. Over-large clumps can be lifted and divided in autumn or spring.

Allium nigrum (ornamental onion bulbs) £5.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June Flower colour: white Other features: grey-green leaves Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 9/11 The grey-green leaves of this ornamental onion generally have started to die back when the flowers emerge in early summer. These sit on tall, sturdy stems forming flattish clusters that create a striking silhouette. Each creamy-white to pale lavender flower has a pronounced ovary at its heart, which looks a little like a green pearl, nestled in the centre. Very pretty – and in big demand after its appearance in Cleve Wests garden at Chelsea this year. Garden care: Plant bulbs 15cm deep and 15cm apart to enjoy the full effect of the flowers. Avoid excessive mositure from late summer when they become dormant. Over-large clumps can be lifted and divided in autumn or spring.

Allium schubertii (ornamental onion bulbs) £7.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June Flower colour: pale pinkish-purple Hardiness: frost hardy (may need protection in winter) Bulb size: 12/14 The stalks of the pinkish purple flowers vary in length, so the overall effect of the flower heads, which can grow up to 30cm across, is of a giant star-burst. These appear on compact stems when the foliage is starting to die back in early summer. Garden care: Plant 15cm deep and 35 – 40cm apart so the flowers don’t get over-crowded. Make sure the soil does not get too wet or waterlogged and split and divide large clumps in spring or autumn.