{"product_id":"allium-scorodoprasum-sand-leek-bulbs","title":"Allium scorodoprasum 'Art' Bulbs","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAllium scorodoprasum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Art' is an extraordinary ornamental form of the \u003cstrong\u003esand leek\u003c\/strong\u003e, grown for its wonderfully unusual purple flower heads. Unlike the neat spherical blooms of many ornamental alliums, 'Art' produces curious umbels made up of purple flowers and developing bulbils carried on long, wiry stems. The result is architectural, slightly eccentric and guaranteed to stand out in a summer border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFlowering from \u003cstrong\u003eMay into June\u003c\/strong\u003e and reaching approximately 100cm tall, the slender stems rise well above surrounding plants, allowing the distinctive flower heads to appear almost suspended above the border. It is an excellent choice for gardeners looking beyond the familiar globe-flowered ornamental onions and works particularly well in naturalistic, gravel and contemporary planting schemes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAllium scorodoprasum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Art'\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ornamental Sand Leek 'Art'\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering time:\u003c\/strong\u003e May-June\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 100cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fertile, well-drained soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHabit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy bulbous perennial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial feature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unusual flower heads containing bulbils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sunny borders, gravel gardens, naturalistic planting and containers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowers can attract bees and other pollinating insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Allium 'Art'\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAllium scorodoprasum\u003c\/em\u003e is commonly known as sand leek and belongs to the same genus as onions, garlic, chives and the many ornamental alliums grown in British gardens. 'Art' has been selected for its particularly decorative flower heads and makes an intriguing alternative to conventional ornamental allium cultivars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe developing heads have an almost sculptural appearance. Purple flowers are accompanied by bulbils at the base of the umbel, while elongated wiry growth gives the heads their distinctive, irregular form. No two displays look quite identical, which is very much part of this plant's appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAn Architectural Allium for Summer Borders\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaching around a metre tall, 'Art' provides height without creating a heavy block of foliage or flowers. Its slender stems allow it to rise through lower-growing plants, adding vertical interest while maintaining an airy appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes it especially effective in mixed perennial borders and naturalistic planting. Rather than hiding neighbouring plants, the flower heads seem to hover above them and become increasingly interesting as they develop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere to Plant Allium scorodoprasum 'Art'\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChoose a position in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun with well-drained soil\u003c\/strong\u003e. Ornamental alliums generally dislike spending prolonged periods in cold, saturated ground, so drainage is particularly important during winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Art' can be planted amongst hardy perennials and ornamental grasses, towards the middle or back of a sunny border, or incorporated into a gravel garden. Its unusual shape also makes it an excellent specimen for contemporary planting schemes where individual plants with strong architectural character can be appreciated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Plant Allium 'Art' Bulbs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant the bulbs during autumn with the pointed end facing upwards. A useful general rule is to plant allium bulbs at approximately two to three times the depth of the bulb itself. Space several bulbs through a planting area rather than placing them in a rigid line for a more natural effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn heavy clay soils, improve drainage with organic matter and horticultural grit where necessary. Once planted in suitable conditions, established bulbs require relatively little attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFlowers and Bulbils\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most fascinating characteristics of \u003cem\u003eAllium scorodoprasum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Art' is the production of \u003cstrong\u003ebulbils within the flower head\u003c\/strong\u003e. These small bulb-like structures develop amongst the flowers and contribute greatly to the cultivar's unusual appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs the head matures, the combination of purple flowers, bulbils and wiry stems creates a wonderfully unconventional structure. It is precisely this curious appearance that makes 'Art' such an interesting plant for allium enthusiasts and gardeners who enjoy unusual bulbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Allium 'Art' in Containers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Art' can also be grown in a large, stable container provided drainage is excellent. Use a free-draining compost and position the pot in full sun. Because the flowering stems can reach around 100cm, a substantial container is preferable to a small pot that may become top-heavy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Flowering\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAllow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering so that it can continue feeding the bulb for the following season. The unusual developing flower heads can also be left standing after the main flowers have faded, extending the plant's architectural contribution to the border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWildlife Value\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe flowers of ornamental alliums are attractive to a range of pollinating insects. Bees in particular may visit the blooms for nectar and pollen, making \u003cem\u003eAllium\u003c\/em\u003e 'Art' a useful addition to a sunny border planted with a succession of wildlife-friendly flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCompanion Planting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe tall, slender habit of 'Art' makes it easy to weave amongst other plants. Try combining it with salvias, hardy geraniums, nepeta and ornamental grasses, or mix it with more conventional globe-flowered alliums for a contrast in flower shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlanting lower-growing perennials around the bulbs can also help disguise the allium foliage as it begins to fade while the flower stems remain prominent above the border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow Allium scorodoprasum 'Art'?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHighly unusual ornamental allium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDistinctive purple early-summer flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduces fascinating bulbils within the flower heads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong, wiry stems create an airy architectural effect\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlowers from May to June\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaches approximately 100cm tall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent for sunny mixed borders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal for naturalistic and gravel-style planting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttractive to pollinating insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA superb conversation piece for unusual bulb collections\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor gardeners who like their ornamental bulbs a little out of the ordinary, \u003cem\u003eAllium scorodoprasum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Art' is a fascinating choice. Its combination of \u003cstrong\u003epurple flowers, developing bulbils and extraordinary wiry flower heads\u003c\/strong\u003e creates a display quite unlike that of conventional ornamental alliums, adding height, movement and genuine curiosity to the early-summer garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jacques Amand","offers":[{"title":"10 Bulbs","offer_id":62373020762499,"sku":"JA-A1773x10","price":3.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 Bulbs","offer_id":62373020795267,"sku":"JA-A1773x100","price":35.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1000 Bulbs","offer_id":62373020828035,"sku":"JA-A1773x1000","price":299.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0108\/3418\/2207\/files\/A1773_Allium_scorodoprasm_Art.webp?v=1789639281","url":"https:\/\/gardenwildlife.com\/products\/allium-scorodoprasum-sand-leek-bulbs","provider":"Garden Wildlife","version":"1.0","type":"link"}