Allium atropurpureum

Allium atropurpureum is a hardy bulb in the amaryllis family. Its native range runs from Hungary to northwestern Turkey. It grows in temperate regions and is not native to Britain or Ireland. This perennial forms clumps and loses its leaves each year. Gardeners grow it for its dark flowers and upright form.

The green leaves are long and shaped like straps. Straight flower stems rise above the clump in late spring. Plants often stand about 2 feet [0.6 metres] tall. The RHS gives a broader height range of 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre]. Its listed spread is 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. Plants take two to five years to reach full size. Small, star-shaped flowers form dense heads at the stem tips. Their colour ranges from dark purple to deep purple-red. The RHS describes rounded half-globes about 0.16 feet [0.05 metres] across. Chicago Botanic Garden records flowering from May to June.

Grow this bulb in full sun with good soil drainage. The RHS recommends fertile soil and a sheltered site. It accepts chalk, loam, sand, and clay when drainage is sound. Add grit to clay soil to help water drain. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils all suit it. Moist soil suits the plant, but water must drain away. Chicago Botanic Garden lists moderate water needs. The RHS rates its hardiness H5. Chicago lists USDA zones 3–8. These ratings come from different regional systems.

Use it in beds, borders, gravel gardens, or courtyard planting. Its upright stems also suit cut flowers and informal gardens. Chicago lists birds and butterflies among its wildlife visitors. It also records resistance to deer. The RHS describes the plant as easy to grow. It needs no pruning and has few pest problems. Onion white rot and downy mildews can still affect it. Raise plants from seed in a cold frame. Sow ripe seed at once, or sow in spring. Another option is to remove offsets during autumn.

Plants For A Future lists the bulbs and leaves as edible. Both may be eaten raw or cooked. Raw flowers can serve as a salad garnish. That source also records uses as an insect and moth repellent. These reported uses do not establish how well it works.