Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Lavender Bubbles Allium: Late-Summer Purple Globes at the Edge
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Lavender Bubbles ornamental onion is a low, spreading allium with round flower globes 1½ to 2 inches across, packed with tiny starry florets in dark, dusty purple. They open near the end of summer, later and deeper in color than many summer alliums, on short stems just above narrow, glaucous blue-green leaves that twist and curl. The whole clump stays 12 to 14 inches tall and 20 to 22 inches wide.
It has won horticultural awards in Europe, and it asks for very little in return.
Lavender Bubbles at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Allium 'Lavender Bubbles' |
| Flowers | Dark, dusty purple globes, 1½ to 2 inches |
| Foliage | Glaucous blue-green, twisting and curling |
| Size | 12 to 14 inches tall, 20 to 22 inches wide |
| Bloom | Mid to late August |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4-8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Excellent for pollinators and butterflies; deer resistant |
The late shift in a lavender bed
By late August, most English lavender has been harvested or has faded. Lavender Bubbles picks up right there, dotting the front of the bed with dusky purple balls so the color theme never breaks. It grows happily in the same lean, well-drained, sunny ground as lavender, and its low height keeps it from blocking the lavender mounds behind it.
The curly blue-green leaves are worth having all season, too. They echo lavender's cool foliage color in a completely different shape. Plan an edging row with the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun to part shade, in lean to average, well-drained soil.
- Water: regular water at first, then it handles drought. Soggy soil in wet summers can rot the rhizomes.
- Seedheads: it is not known to reseed much. Deadhead if you want to be sure, or leave the heads for late-season interest.
- Fall: leave the foliage until it yellows, then cut back in late fall or early spring. No mulch needed.
- Dividing: divide clumps in spring every few years.
Bees, bouquets and dried heads
Late-summer flowers are valuable to pollinators, and this allium is rated excellent for them. The globes also cut and dry well; small dried heads look charming tucked into a lavender bundle. The flowers are lightly scented, but the leaves smell like onion when crushed, so handle stems gently. Plan stems for drying with the Cut Flower Planner.
Planting from bare root
Lavender Bubbles is offered as a bare root plant. Plant it in spring with the crown just at the soil surface, water it in, and keep it lightly moist until growth appears. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat it like chives?
No. It is grown as an ornamental. Like other onions, it is toxic to dogs and cats, so keep pets from chewing it.
Is it good in containers?
Yes. Its low, tidy habit suits containers and rock gardens in a sunny spot.
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