Allium Purple Sensation

I think that is the name of the bulbs I planted last fall. They bloomed beautifully this spring and now are all dried up. Should I dig the bulbs and replant in the fall like tulips? Will the little black seeds grow new babies? I would love to have a wide swath of these.

caitlin... I planted the same bulbs for the first time last fall also. Can't remember how many I planted but only 3 came up and only two of those flowered, and only one was real showey. So I collected seeds from that one bloom and am curious about planting them. Otherwise, because of the otherwise poor results from the bulbs, I'm just leaving them in the ground. I know I didn't answer your question but I hope someone does cause I'm very interested to find out also.

I planted thhe same ones and all mine came up,,,,, I think I'm going to plant more this fall! I'd like to know about to seeds too?

jm

Here's a group shoot of my Purple Sensation.
I planted close to 100.

They are starting to go to seed.

Purple Sensation starting to go to seed.

I only planted 5-6 bulbs but they are doing great and blooms are gorgeous. They do require full sun and don't like wet soil. The only thing I know about the seeds is it takes YEARS to get a blooming size plant. If I had more space I'd consider playing with these but not in my position...

Does anyone know how quickly the bulbs will multply? I don't have much room where they are now but I suppose I could find a new spot. Now that I think about it, the one that performed the best got the most sun... I should let that one multiply where it is and move the ones which didn't do well.

I have planted these bulbs in the past and always got a nice show from them. I would recommend that you keep them in a dry spot during summertime and don't give them extra watering. MIne never multiplied, but then my bulbs weren't in the best site for them, either.

If you want more of these bulbs, try watching for the close-out sales, especially on e-flower garden's site: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1117343/

Here's a short article from The Guardian (UK) about Allium Sensation. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/may/09/planting-alliums-combination-dan-pearson

He says it takes three years from seed and self sows in his garden rather nicely.

It never did for me, but I am always crowding my garden and forgetting what I've got in there so treating my plants rather roughly.

It might be a good idea to sprinkle the seeds in a defined area so they don't get weeded out?

Yes, I would think it would be a good idea to devote a special area to your allium project especially if you want to try growing from seed.

I couldn't wait three years for allium from seed so always buy new bulbs on sale at the end of season.

And I tend to overwater them in summertime because I always have allium interplanted with my daylilies, hardy geraniums and other stuff (my garden is sort of a mess!). And overwatering isn't so good for allium.