These worked really well against the pale green fence, a real focal point when sitting on the bench by the shed though became less striking the next year when the Lychnis grew up so fast.

I think there are about 5 plants here encircling the Eleagnus quicksilver. Also Allium sphaerocephalon in between them for later blooms. The Evening primrose grows behind and teh purple and yellow looked great together in 2010. As they pass over the Verbena Bonariensis comes up with a Thalictrum to soften the lines.

Botanical name: Allium atropurpureum
Other names: Allium atropurpureum
Genus: Allium
Species: A. atropurpureum – A. atropurpureum is a bulbous perennial. It has basal, strap-shaped leaves and in late spring and early summer bears spherical, deep purple flowers on upright stems.
Allium atropurpureum is: Deciduous
Flower: Purple in Spring; Purple in Summer
Foliage: Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer
Habit: Erect

Pests: Pest free, may suffer from slugs on new growth.
Specific diseases: Onion rot , Downy mildew

Pruning: Cut back leaves only when they have completely died down.
Propagation methods: Division, Seed-September, October
Cut back after flowering in early autumn (optional)-September, October
Separate offsets -October
Plant 10cm deep in any moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil Any time
Sow seed in containers in cold frame (anytime)
Height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses: Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Gravel, Low Maintenance

Cultivation: Grow in fertile, but well-drained soil. Add grit to clay soils to improve drainage.
Soil types: Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types
Soil drainage: Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light: Full Sun
Aspect: South, East, West
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness: Hardy (H4)

Note: 15 from Klondyke Autumn 2009, also 50+ mail order Aug 2010