Only mid April and my Allium are starting to open already. I love the way that layer after layer of these tiny flowers open to form one complete sphere. Last year I planted A. Gladiator, a whopping variety reaching 4ft tall, but they also came with a whopping amount of foliage which smothered other perennials in the border, just as they were starting to grow. Don’t often dig out plants that I’ve recently added to the garden, but space being an issue in my smallish borders, I waited until they’d finished flowering and then ejected them from the border. I’ve now replaced them with A. ‘Purple sensation and the world is right again! Helen on her Patient Gardener blog and Fergus Garrett on his Great Dixter study days both talk about the importance of understanding how the size of Tulip leaves can influence which varieties you choose to plant where in your garden, and this is a lesson I’ve now learnt with these Allium bulbs too. Never a dull day in the garden!
Out of my shed 
Good point. I think in general it is a trap we inexperienced gardeners fall into to be so excited about blooms that we forget to consider how dull/large foliage might be when a plant is not flowering. Never really considered it with bulbs before. Thanks for the tip.
I’m very envious of your alliums – they don’t do well for me at all unfortunately, though I had loads in my last garden… Maybe I should try growing some in pots – your shot has made me realise how much I enjoyed them!
I also enjoy watching Alliums open one by one. There is a real difference–in that particular flower–looking at it closely and from far away. Great photo! And welcome to Blotanical!
Absolutely gorgeous photo, Naomi. Beautiful colours! Caro x