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Allium atropurpureum (Very dark purple allium)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.5m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Allium atropurpureum
Other names
Purple flowered onion, Very dark purple allium, Dark purple allium, Allium nigrum var. purpureum
Genus
Allium Allium
Species
A. atropurpureum - A. atropurpureum is a clump-forming, deciduous, bulbous perennial with strap-shaped, grey-green leaves and sturdy, erect stems bearing dense umbels of deep reddish-purple flowers in late spring and early summer.
Allium atropurpureum is: Deciduous
Habit
Erect
Flower
Dark-purple in Spring; Dark-purple in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Pest free, may suffer from slugs on new growth.
Onion rot , Downy mildew Onion rot , Downy mildew
General care
Pruning
Cut back leaves only when they have completely died down.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Allium atropurpureum (Very dark purple allium) will reach a 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, well-drained soil in full sun. Add grit to clay soils to improve drainage.
Soil type
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
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Allium atropurpureum
Other names
Purple flowered onion, Very dark purple allium, Dark purple allium, Allium nigrum var. purpureum
Genus
Allium Allium
Species
A. atropurpureum - A. atropurpureum is a clump-forming, deciduous, bulbous perennial with strap-shaped, grey-green leaves and sturdy, erect stems bearing dense umbels of deep reddish-purple flowers in late spring and early summer.
Native to
Hungary, Turkey
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Erect
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Colour
Flower
Dark-purple in Spring; Dark-purple in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Pest free, may suffer from slugs on new growth.
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Cut back leaves only when they have completely died down.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Allium atropurpureum (Very dark purple allium) will reach a 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, well-drained soil in full sun. Add grit to clay soils to improve drainage.
Soil type
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
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Allium atropurpureum (Very dark purple allium)
Common pest name
allium leaf miner
Scientific pest name
Phytomyza gymnostoma
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Present (Limited)
Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Pest of Allium already present in UK and spreading; previous consultation supported awareness raising only; industry should prepare for the event of findings in commercial crops.
Defra's Risk register #2
Plant name
Allium atropurpureum (Very dark purple allium)
Common pest name
Asain cotton leafworm; Cluster caterpillar; Fall armyworm; Rice cutworm; Taro caterpiller; Tobacco budworm; Tobacco caterpillar; Tobacco cutworm; Tobacco leaf caterpillar
Scientific pest name
Spodoptera litura
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Regulated pest; frequently intercepted with occasional outbreaks which have been successfully eradicated in the UK.
Defra's Risk register #3
Plant name
Allium atropurpureum (Very dark purple allium)
Common pest name
African cottom leafworm; Cotton leafworm; Egyptian cotton leafworm; Egyptian cotton worm; Mediterranean climbing cutworm; Meditteranea Brocade; Tobacco cutworm
Scientific pest name
Spodoptera littoralis
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Regulated pest; frequently intercepted with occasional outbreaks which have been successfully eradicated in the UK.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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