episode 178 | show notes & advice
episode description
This Christmas might feel a while away, but if there’s one way to prepare right now for a more stunning and sustainable tree, it’s with alliums.
Sarah’s love of alliums is well-documented on the podcast, but this week she’s recalling some of the most show-stopping varieties with which to decorate this Christmas, and the joys that they’ll bring as ‘colour baton-carriers’ in spring.
In this episode, discover
- Which alliums are perfect for bridging the gap between tulips going over and sweet peas emerging
- Some extravagant, statement-making varieties like the remarkably tall ‘Summer Drummer’ or sculptural shapes of ‘Magic’
- Tips for preparing your alliums to sustainably decorate your tree this Christmas
links and references
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Pots
Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers
Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Veg
Sarah Raven's Garden Cookbook | Sarah Raven
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website
Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Episode 178 advice sheet
Sarah’s best all-round allium for garden and flower arranging (3:35)
‘Purple Sensation’ is allium royalty, and for very good reason - Sarah loves this variety for how great value and perennial it is. The early summer garden springs to life with its violet visage, and its pickings can be kept to decorate the tree at Christmas.
Bridging the gap between tulips and sweet peas (6:40)
One of the charms that alliums bring is their ability to take the baton of bringing colour into the garden between tulips going over, and sweet peas or roses coming in.
A few more of the varieties that take that baton boldly are Cristophii, whose huge heads bear enough colour for several gardens over, and allium siculum, whose candelabra bulb carries a painterly poise perfect for attracting pollinators.
Taller, crazier shaped varieties for July (15:25)
Later in the season, some more of Sarah’s favourite varieties bring a bolder silhouette to the garden. Standout among them, ‘Summer Drummer’ is a staggering 7ft tall, and the uniquely twisty stems of ‘Magic’ are a joy to behold for a variety which flowers so prolifically.
Sarah rounds out this episode with a few tips for preparing cuttings ready to decorate your tree at Christmas, namely not leaving them as seedheads in the garden for too long.
