Among the tallest of all alliums, reaching 4 feet or more, is alliums Mount Everest with its large grapefruit sized flower heads. Its ivory white florets show up well against the darker foliage of a yew hedge or among other brighter colors. Kicking at its heels is lilac purple alliums, with deep purple sensation, and globe master, at 90cm, close behind.
All are strong and sturdy and together they make a popular choice for garden borders. Ingram, with its ivory white flowers and bold black ovaries, normally reaches 70cm high and is slightly later to flower than the purple and lilac forms. It looks lovely with silver cardoon and the white flower of sweet rocket. The pale lilac has a flowering height of 60cm.
Rather than just choosing one or another, plant a mixture that will associate very well together, provide a long period of flowering and a wonderful pattern of tiered planting.
All white alliums mix happily with purple and lilac forms and together look stunning beneath all shades of wisteria whether pink, white or blue. They also associate well with yellow laburnum and white or pink Montana.The only drawback to most alliums is the leaves, which appear well before the flower buds emerge, and by the time the flowers open they look very untidy. It is best to grow some other leafy plant nearby to conceal the mess. Biennial or perennial wallflowers are a perfect foil providing both foliage and contrasting or complementary flower color. Japanese anemones are also excellent bed flowers. Their leaves soon grow up to hide the alliums leaves and in turn their flowers will provide color in the border from late summer to autumn.
What You Should Know About Alliums In The Bulb Garden