Allium 2009

[Regelian]

Yes, it comes true from seed.  I started with 3 bulbs and there are quite a few more dotted about the garden, now.  I used to think this was actually a species which was packed as Purple Sensation, but I really don't know.  It certainly acts like one, although it is not a heavy seeder in comparison with other Alliums.

[Lvandelft]

Allium aflatunense Purple Sensation is a synonym of Allium x hollandicum Purple Sensation
Registered since 1963. Winner J. Bijl. A.M.-K.A.V.B. 1968, F.C.C.-K.A.V.B. 1971, A.M.-R.H.S. 1987

[arillady]

There is a whole new world of plants I could explore here. Jamie those last two are amazing.

[Otto Fauser]

Pat ,
 A. aflatuense 'Purple Sensation' has been available for a number of years commercially
here .

[Oron Peri]

Two more species are in bloom now, both are distributed in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey and Iran
Allium phanerantherum, easily recognized by the few flowers growing out of order, the second is A. truncatum which is closely related to the much known A. ampeloprasum.
Both species grow easily above 1 meter in height.

[Lvandelft]

There is a whole new world of plants I could explore here. Jamie those last two are amazing.

Pat, I showed last year a lot of Allium in the Weekly Lisse Flowershow.
Pictured inside, so the colors are not the same as outside, but it gives some information if you like.

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1315.135

Posted by: Otto Fauser 

Pat ,
 A. aflatuense 'Purple Sensation' has been available for a number of years commercially
here .

Otto, the problem is that Purple Sensation is offered under "aflatunense" as well as "hollandicum" .
I pictured last year this Allium with both names (one from England and one from Holland) at the Connoisseur Collection.
I had a look there today and they are now only under the name Allium hollandicum Purple Sensation, as it should be.
Did make a picture too, but have to resize etc. first.

[Lvandelft]

Yes, it comes true from seed.  I started with 3 bulbs and there are quite a few more dotted about the garden, now.  I used to think this was actually a species which was packed as Purple Sensation, but I really don't know.  It certainly acts like one, although it is not a heavy seeder in comparison with other Alliums.

Jamie, today I talked to a specialist and he told me that Purple Sensation almost comes true from seed.
There are only little differences but clear to see. It is of course probably, that now and then you may find a plant which looks very much the same.
The original Purple Sensation should only vegetatively be propagated!

[Regelian]

Yes, it comes true from seed.  I started with 3 bulbs and there are quite a few more dotted about the garden, now.  I used to think this was actually a species which was packed as Purple Sensation, but I really don't know.  It certainly acts like one, although it is not a heavy seeder in comparison with other Alliums.

Jamie, today I talked to a specialist and he told me that Purple Sensation almost comes true from seed.
There are only little differences but clear to see. It is of course probably, that now and then you may find a plant which looks very much the same.
The original Purple Sensation should only vegetatively be propagated!

Luit,

interesting to hear this, as it explains the seedlings, but I am not sure it should be considered A. x hollanicum, as the 'classic' form is quite sterile in my garden.  It only reproduces via bulblets.  It does produce occasional seed, but it never germinates, which seems to indicate a hybrid mule.  Purple Sensation is quite fertile and behaves as a variant of a species, which may be why it was placed under A. aflatuense.

Difficult to follow these onions.

[Sinchets]

Luit, given that people like a name for a plant isn't a possible that Allium x hollandicum is just a coverall name for several similar looking forms of a wild species?

[Lvandelft]

What I know about, is that there are Allium hollandicum and A. hollandicum Purple Sensation in culture/trade
and that of these the flower color is different. In literature the only thing I found out, is that A.hollandicum R.M. Fritsch is only known in culture.
Allium aflatunense is called the Persian Onion.
I might have a picture of A. aflatunense too?

[Sinchets]

I am assuming Allium hollandicum is not native to Holland- so it is possibe it represents a form, or hybrid, of a species found in the wild somewhere. It is also possible that this may have been collected more than once and diffrent names assigned to these collections.

[Armin]

P.C Nijssen wrote in his dutch catalog both names A. hollandicum and A. aflatunense will be likely no longer accepted by K.A.V.B.
The new name for A. aflatunense in culture will be A. jesdianum subsp. angustipetalum...

[Sinchets]

At the end of the day horticulture is very conservative. I am sure all of these names will be used for many years to come- just to add to confusion. We are still asked by Brits here if we grow Geraniums, which we do, but they mean Pelargoniums, which we don't. I believe it is well over a hundred years since it was decided the two genera were distinct.
Flowering today:
Allium nigrum (?)

[Regelian]

Blooming today, and always welcome.  The A. christophii seeds all over the place, but is such a lovely flower, plus the plant discretely dies down in the Summer, that you can only want more of them.  The A. giganteum may be 'Globe Master', as it never sets viable seed.


Allium giganteum
Allium christophii

[Lvandelft]

As promised here a picture of Allium Purple Sensation.
This one was bought in England 2003. Then the one, which is in trade as Allium hollandicum [aflatunense],
with a paler color.
A picture of Allium aflatunense from Ruksans (1999)
And finally a cross of Allium Purple Sensation with Allium macleanii
 
Allium hollandicum Purple Sensation
Allium hollandicum [aflatunense]                           
Allium aflatunense                         
Allium Renaissance [Purple Sensation x macleanii]