Plant allium bulbs from September to December. If needed, keep them in their open packets somewhere cool, dry and well ventilated until planting.
'Universe'
Make an out-of-this-world statement in your own garden with the help of Allium 'Universe' and its massive blooms! The enormous, planet-like purple flowerheads can reach up to 18cm in diameter – not being a densely-packed flowerhead, you can gaze freely on the constellations of many starry flowers which form this impressive floral nebula. Rocketing upwards to a height of around 70cm, the blooms make their big impact in late spring.
Use Allium 'Universe' to introduce colour at a height in your planting schemes, and bridge that gap between May and June where spring flowers have faded and before summer flowers have really got going. You can make gorgeous combinations with other alliums of different colours and sizes, or pair Dutch Iris which typically flower around the same time. If you can bare to part with these impressive alliums in your garden, they do also make incredible cut flowers for a tall vase.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Choose full sun or partial shade. Improve heavy soil with organic matter and horticultural grit. For containers, use peat-free multipurpose compost with good drainage.
Plant bulbs pointed side upwards, two to three times their own height deep. A slightly flattened side is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.
Space small bulbs around 5cm apart. Larger bulbs need more room, generally around twice their own width apart, so their foliage and flowers can develop freely.
Water after planting if the soil is dry, then only when needed. After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally. Decorative seedheads can remain in place.
- Botanical name
- Allium 'Universe'
- Flower colour
- Purple
- Bulb size
- 22/+
- Established height
- 60cm-80cm
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Upright
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant spacing
- 25 bulbs per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Stony
Multipurpose compost - Suitable for
-
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens - Sunlight
- Full sun
- Toxicity
- Skin/eyes irritant
- Years to establish
- 1st year
Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.