View Larger Drumstick Allium

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    4 4 5 5b 6 6b 7 7b 8 8b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 4 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

    This unique late-blooming bulb sports maroon flower-heads, for which it earns its common of drumstick allium.

    Latin Name

    Allium sphaerocephalon


    Family

    Amaryllidaceae


    Also Known As

    Round-headed Leek , Purple-headed Garlick


    Type of Plant

    Bulbs Bulbs

    Bloom Season

    June - July


    Seasons

    Summer Summer

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 3'
    Max spread Max Spread: 1.5'

    Uses

  • Flower Border

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Tolerances

  • Black Walnut
  • Deer
  • Drought

  • Attracted Wildlife

    Butterflies Butterflies

    Colors


    Native Range

    Europe, northern Africa, western Asia


    History

    Purple-headed garlick has been in popular use since 1766 and was listed in the first bulb catalog in the United States.


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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