{"product_id":"ail-a-tete-ronde-allium-sphaerocephalon-bulbes","title":"Round-headed leek (Allium sphaerocephalon) — Bulbs, size 5\/6","description":"\u003csection class=\"product-content verdeia-product\" id=\"ail-a-tete-ronde\"\u003e\u003cheader class=\"product-intro\"\u003e\u003cp class=\"product-highlights\"\u003e💜 Oval heads, green then purple • 🌿 Slender stems 50 to 70 cm • 🌤️ Blooms in July-August • 🐝 Very bee-friendly • ☀️ Full sun • 🌾 For cutting and drying • 🧊 Very hardy • 🔁 Naturalizes year after year • 📏 Bulb size 5\/6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eround-headed leek\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eAllium sphaerocephalon\u003c\/em\u003e) flowers once the other alliums have finished: in July and August, each bulb produces a slender 50 to 70 cm stem topped with an oval head 2 to 4 cm long, green at first, which turns garnet purple from the top down. The species is \u003cstrong\u003enative to Europe (France, Spain, Italy)\u003c\/strong\u003e and the Mediterranean basin, where it grows wild on dry grassland and chalky banks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003eIts small two-tone heads attract bees and butterflies all summer, then dry on the plant for bouquets. Among our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/bulbes-a-fleurs\"\u003eflower bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e, it is the latest-flowering allium and the easiest to naturalize: its bulbs multiply on their own year after year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/header\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"formats\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow many bulbs should you choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRound-headed leek is planted in tight clumps so its slender stems support each other: allow about 40 bulbs per square meter, or 15 to 20 bulbs in a 30 cm diameter pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e100 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 2.5 m², or five to six large pots on a terrace.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e200 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 5 m², for a long border along a path or a fence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e400 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 10 m², to scatter patches of purple through a whole bed of perennials and grasses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e800 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 20 m², for a wildflower meadow or a large dry garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe larger the pack, the lower the price per bulb: the 800-bulb pack costs less than half the per-bulb price of the 100-bulb pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"plantation-emplacement\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; location\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bulbs are planted from September to December, as long as the ground is not frozen, for flowers in July and August.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, at least 6 hours a day; in partial shade, the stems stretch and flop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDepth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8 to 10 cm, pointed end up; these small size 5\/6 bulbs root quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8 to 10 cm between bulbs, in groups of 10 to 20 for a clump effect; 4 to 5 cm in a pot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e well drained, even poor, sandy, stony or chalky; the bulb rots in soil that stays waterlogged in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to -20 °C in the ground, no protection needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eFor a natural look, toss a handful of bulbs onto the ground and plant them where they land: the clumps will look self-sown, as in a wild meadow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"arrosage-entretien\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWatering \u0026amp; care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRound-headed leek copes very well with drought: in the ground, rainwater is enough, and it gets through hot summers without flagging, like the species in our selection of \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/plantes-resistantes-chaleur-canicule-ete\"\u003eheat-tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e low — water once at planting, then only in a very dry spring; in a pot, when the potting mix is dry several centimeters down, as confirmed by the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/test-du-doigt-la-methode-infaillible-pour-savoir-quand-arroser-vos-plantes\"\u003efinger test\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn a pot:\u003c\/strong\u003e a well-draining potting mix lightened with a third of sand or fine gravel, with a layer of clay pebbles at the bottom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e unnecessary in the ground, as the species prefers poor soils; in a pot, a bulb fertilizer in spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAfter flowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e let the stems and leaves dry in place; they rebuild the bulb's reserves for the following year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe thin, hollow leaves start to wither before the flowers open: this is normal, and the flowering stems stay straight and green until the end of summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"associations-deco\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDecorating ideas \u0026amp; plant pairings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts purple heads float above perennials and grasses and sway in the slightest breeze, in beds or on a balcony, as shown in our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/quelles-plantes-pour-mon-balcon-le-guide-par-exposition\"\u003ebalcony plants by exposure\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a succession of alliums from May to August,\u003c\/strong\u003e plant it with \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/allium-purple-sensation-ail-ornement-violet-bulbes\"\u003eAllium 'Purple Sensation'\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/ail-etoile-de-perse-allium-christophii-bulbes\"\u003eStar of Persia\u003c\/a\u003e — the first flowers in May, the second in June, and round-headed leek takes over in July.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a dry-garden bed,\u003c\/strong\u003e pair it with \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/lavandula-angustifolia-hidcote-blue-12cm-20cm\"\u003elavender 'Hidcote Blue'\u003c\/a\u003e — the same summer flowering, the same love of dry soil, and the violet-blue spikes set off the purple heads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a meadow effect,\u003c\/strong\u003e grow it among the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/lot-4-graminees-festuca-carex-uncinia\"\u003eset of 4 Festuca, Carex and Uncinia grasses\u003c\/a\u003e — the oval heads rise out of the 50 cm tufts and sway above the blue, yellow and red foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a balcony version,\u003c\/strong\u003e plant 15 to 20 bulbs in the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/jardiniere-elho-greenville-easy-balcony-verte-25cm\"\u003egreen Elho Greenville Easy Balcony planter\u003c\/a\u003e in the 25 cm size — hung on the railing, it brings the purple pompoms up to eye level, and its green echoes the stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe dried heads keep their shape and a purplish-brown tint all autumn: leave them in the garden, where they self-seed, or cut them for a dried bouquet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"tips\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eVerdeia tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"verdeia-tips\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant as soon as they arrive:\u003c\/strong\u003e these small bulbs dry out quickly in the open air; plant them within a few days, or keep them somewhere cool in a paper bag.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCut them for bouquets:\u003c\/strong\u003e picked when half the head has turned purple, the stems last two weeks in a vase and finish coloring; hung upside down, they dry while keeping their color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLet them naturalize:\u003c\/strong\u003e don't dig up the bulbs — they overwinter in the ground like the species in our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/plantes-resistantes-froid-guide\"\u003ecold-hardy plants\u003c\/a\u003e, and form denser clumps every year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"caracteristiques\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tech-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAllium sphaerocephalon\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Round-headed leek, drumstick allium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Amaryllidaceae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e species native to Europe (France, Spain, Italy) and the Mediterranean basin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery:\u003c\/strong\u003e dry bulbs, size 5\/6 (5 to 6 cm in circumference), in packs of 100, 200, 400 or 800\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50 to 70 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e July-August, oval heads 2 to 4 cm long, green then garnet purple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e September to December, 8–10 cm deep\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to -20 °C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e well drained, tolerates poor, sandy, stony and chalky soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLife cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e perennial, blooms again every year and naturalizes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBee-friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e very attractive to bees, bumblebees and butterflies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e very easy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eToxicity:\u003c\/strong\u003e toxic to animals (dogs and cats) if ingested, like all alliums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecorative style:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry garden \/ Country \/ Wildflower meadow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eEach bulb is unique: the height of the stems and the size of the heads vary naturally depending on the soil and sun exposure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Everspring","offers":[{"title":"100 bulbs","offer_id":57278106173705,"sku":"50824","price":23.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"200 bulbs","offer_id":57462154297609,"sku":"61521","price":31.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"400 bulbs","offer_id":57462154330377,"sku":"61522","price":50.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"800 bulbs","offer_id":57462154363145,"sku":"61523","price":78.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/1006\/5673\/files\/ail-a-tete-ronde-allium-sphaerocephalon-bulbes-calibre-56-verdeia-7780971.png?v=1792538552","url":"https:\/\/verdeia.eu\/en\/products\/round-headed-leek-allium-sphaerocephalon-bulbs","provider":"Verdeia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}