Allium carinatum ssp. pulchellum
A small, fine-textured Allium with loose, nodding flower heads that read as soft, open spheres above narrow foliage. The flowers are a clear pink and bring a light, lifted note to midsummer plantings. It works especially well threaded through low grasses where its movement and spacing feel natural. Best in full sun and sandy, freely draining soil, and equally at home in borders or rock gardens. Clumps expand slowly and the plant self-seeds in a gentle, unobtrusive way, adding to its scattered, meadow-like effect.
Growing Conditions
Light: full sun
Moisture: average to dry
Soil: well drained; prefers sandy or stony soils
Hardiness zone: 4
Maintenance: low; remove spent foliage as it fades; allow light self-seeding if naturalistic spread is desired
Size & Habit
Height (cm): 45
Spread (cm): 10
Habit: narrow, clump-forming perennial
Seasonal Interest
Flowering period: July–Aug
Seasonal interest: midsummer bloom; airy seed heads into early autumn
Foliage: green
Flower: pink
Ecology & Notes
Wildlife value: visited by small bees and other generalist pollinators
Deer/Rabbit resistance: yes
Habitat: sunny borders; gravel gardens; rockeries; meadow-style plantings; among fine grasses
Features: loose spherical umbels; light movement; gentle self-seeding; suited to sandy soils
Notes: pairs well with fine grasses such as Nassella tenuissima and Sporobolus heterolepis; light, scattered presence