Plant allium bulbs from September to December. If needed, keep them in their open packets somewhere cool, dry and well ventilated until planting.
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Allium neapolitanum
Neapolitan garlic
Not every allium needs a towering purple globe to make an impression. Allium neapolitanum, or Neapolitan garlic, takes a lighter approach, lifting loose sprays of starry white flowers above slender green stems. Each little bloom has six pristine white petals, with delicate stamens at its centre, and together they form airy clusters that look almost like a handful of scattered stars. Flowering in late spring, Allium neapolitanum reaches approximately 30–40cm, a lovely height for weaving through the front of borders. The effect is fresh, natural and quietly abundant, particularly when the bulbs are planted in generous groups. Bees appreciate the flowers too, making Allium neapolitanum an appealing addition to a wildlife-friendly spring garden.
Give Allium neapolitanum a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil, and plant the bulbs around 10cm deep in autumn. It looks beautiful alongside blue forget-me-nots, late tulips and fresh spring greenery, while a generous patio pot brings its delicate flowers closer to eye level. Those graceful stems are also excellent for cutting, lending a light, informal touch to spring bouquets. Once established in suitable conditions, Allium neapolitanum can gradually multiply and naturalise, although prolonged winter wet is best avoided, particularly in heavy soil. Its narrow, grass-like foliage naturally dies back as the growing season finishes, leaving neighbouring plants to take over without fuss. For gardeners who appreciate flowers with a little less formality, Allium neapolitanum is a lovely find.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Choose full sun or partial shade. Improve heavy soil with organic matter and horticultural grit. For containers, use peat-free multipurpose compost with good drainage.
Plant bulbs pointed side upwards, two to three times their own height deep. A slightly flattened side is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.
Space small bulbs around 5cm apart. Larger bulbs need more room, generally around twice their own width apart, so their foliage and flowers can develop freely.
Water after planting if the soil is dry, then only when needed. After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally. Decorative seedheads can remain in place.
- Botanical name
- Allium neapolitanum Cowanii Group
- Flower colour
- White
- Bulb size
- 5/+
- Established height
- 30-50cm
- Established spread
- 5-10cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Upright
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant spacing
- 100 bulbs per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Stony
Multipurpose compost - Suitable for
-
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower Gardens
Borders
Gravel gardens - Sunlight
- Full sun
- Toxicity
- Skin/eyes irritant
- Years to establish
- 1st year
Good for cutting
Pollinator-friendly
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed in paper
Low maintenance
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