Allium Globemaster

Allium 'Globemaster' is the largest, most impressive, most structuring ornamental allium. Sadly, it had fallen into disuse, but was brought back into fashion by many landscapers eager to structure maintenance-free sunny flower beds. It emerges from flower beds from the end of spring, bearing large round flower heads of a deep pink-purple carried on top of robust and tall stems. This variety multiplies rapidly over the years in well-drained and sunny soils. It is superb in flower pots. Its flowers are also perfect in dried or fresh bouquets.

Allium 'Globemaster' is a bulbous perennial plant from the Amaryllidaceae family. It comes from A. giganteum, native to the east and centre of Asia, from Afghanistan to Pakistan and Russia, as well as the Himalayas. It loves the sun and light, well-drained, limestone soil. Its bulb is resistant to cold in soils that are not too moist, especially in winter and the second half of summer.

From spring onwards, the large bulb develops a rosette of long, thick, ribbon-like, fleshy leaves with a green-grey-blue colour, measuring up to 50cm (20in) in height. This decorative foliage dries out as the flowering blooms. The stiff and sturdy floral stems measure 80cm (31in) in height. They emerge from the end of May in average climates, sometimes in June-July depending on the regions. They carry a superb globular inflorescence measuring 18 to 22cm (7 to 9in) in diameter. Each inflorescence is composed of numerous small star-shaped flowers with 6 pink-purple petals. These flower heads, devoid of fragrance, remain very decorative in flower beds once pollinated. The bulb replenishes its reserves after flowering and produces numerous bulb offsets, allowing it to multiply rapidly.

On its own, Allium 'Globemaster' has little interest. However, it proves to be quite remarkable when planted in voluminous flower beds with perennials in shades of pink and blue. Perfect in a contemporary-style decor, it is irreplaceable in a romantic mixed border, surrounded by a carpet of Nepeta 'Six Hill Giant', accompanied by Stachys byzantina and herbaceous peonies with large flowers such as 'Break a Day' or 'Bowl of Beauty' against a backdrop of opulent pink-flowered roses like 'Eglantyne', 'Heritage' or 'Mary Rose'. In any case, consider accompanying it with low and bushy plants that will hide its base, which becomes unsightly once the foliage has dried. For a more "dynamic" effect, its flowers can structure a modern garden where several geometric shapes oppose each other. For example, it can be planted with Stipa tenuissima, lavender, and cone-shaped trimmed boxwoods.

In short, the possibilities are endless!