Allium 'Lucy Ball'

Ornamental onions provide a dramatic focal point in the late spring garden. Their bright, globe-shaped flower heads make an undeniable impact, and their bold texture provides a pleasing contrast to the fine foliage and dainty blooms of many spring perennials. One of the most striking Allium cultivars we grow here at Scott is ‘Lucy Ball,’ a hybrid of Allium hollandicum and Allium macleanii developed by famed Dutch plant breeder Jan Bijl. Although the strap-like foliage remains low to the ground, the flowering stalks of ‘Lucy Ball’ can top four feet in height. The blossoms of this ornamental onion are stunning – bright purple spheres five to six inches across, with a beautiful fragrance to boot.

Allium ‘Lucy Ball’ is hardy between zones 3 and 8, and performs best when planted in full sun. Most ornamental onions will thrive in average soil but appreciate good drainage, especially in winter when their bulbs are dormant. The pungent oils in the bulbs, leaves, and stems render ornamental onions unpalatable to deer and rodents, making them a great choice for a critter-proof landscape.

You can see Allium ‘Lucy Ball’ in all her glory in the Scott Arboretum’s Entrance Garden.