Allium Gladiator - ORG

There is some debate about the colour of the Allium Gladiator. Is it soft purple, lilac, purple-pink or pink-purple? The website doesn’t dare say — and, to be honest, it doesn’t really matter. What is certain, however, is that the Gladiator is one of the most impressive Alliums around. Stems, sometimes reaching one and a half metres in height, bear flower heads measuring twelve to fifteen centimetres, made up of hundreds of tiny florets.

A hybrid with character

The Allium Gladiator is not a wild species but a cultivated hybrid between Allium aflatunense and Allium macleanii. This is evident in its vigour and reliability: it is hardy, robust and returns every year. Once it flowers, it continues to do so for weeks on end — from May into June. This is precisely when the tulips have finished flowering and the first summer-flowering plants are yet to appear.

Planting and care

Plant the bulbs in the autumn, from September onwards, at a depth of around 15 cm and spaced 20–30 cm apart. The Gladiator thrives best in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil in a sunny to lightly shaded spot. It is sensitive to waterlogging — good drainage is essential. After flowering, you can leave the seed heads in place; they are decorative and still catch the eye even as dried bulbs.

For bees and foraging gardens

Allium Gladiator is a magnet for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The nectar is easily accessible and the long flowering period makes it a reliable source of food. It also performs excellently as a cut flower — it has a long vase life, with or without the seed head. Organically grown, certified NL-BIO-01.