The tall flower purple ball top is an ornamental flowering plant that grows spheres of deep purple flowers on tall stalks. This beautiful plant is easy to care for and makes gardens and landscapes look amazing.
What is a Tall Flower Purple Ball Top?
The tall flower purple ball top plant, whose botanical name is Allium hollandicum “Purple Sensation,” is a type of ornamental onion grown for its pretty flowers. This plant comes back every year and makes dozens of round flower heads with tiny purple florets in the middle to end of spring. Each flower head is about the size of a tennis ball and stands on a strong, tall stem that is two to three feet high.
When the flowers die back, oval-shaped seed pods appear. The tall flower purple ball top has thin, grass-like leaves that look nice next to the bright flowers, but the leaves die back completely by midsummer.
Key Features of Tall Flower Purple Ball Top:
-
Flowers: 2-3 inch diameter spheres composed of small, star-shaped purple florets
-
Bloom time: Mid to late spring
-
Flower color: Rich purple
-
Plant height: 24-36 inches tall
-
Spread: 6-12 inches wide
-
Foliage: Slender, grass-like leaves that die back by midsummer
-
Hardiness: USDA zones 4-9
-
Native habitat: Originally from Iran
Growing Tall Flower Purple Ball Top
Luckily, tall flower purple ball top is very easy to grow. Here are some key tips for success:
-
Planting: Plant bulbs in the fall, spacing them 8-12 inches apart. Choose a spot with full sun exposure. Well-drained soil is a must.
-
Care: Provide supplemental water during droughts until established. Little fertilization is required. Cut back faded flower stems in midsummer.
-
Performance: Extremely hardy, deer and rodent resistant, tolerates poor soils, and does well in hot, dry climates.
-
Design uses: Plant in groups or masses of 10+ bulbs for best visual impact.Combines nicely with other spring bloomers. Accents entryways, borders, rock gardens.
Why Grow Tall Flower Purple Ball Top?
What makes tall flower purple ball top so popular? Here are some of the benefits of adding this flower to your landscape:
-
Provides a striking floral display in spring when little else is in bloom. The rich purple color is eye-catching.
-
Easy care requirements make it ideal for beginners and busy gardeners.
-
Pest and disease resistance means less maintenance and interventions needed.
-
Drought tolerance allows it to thrive without much watering or care.
-
Deer/rodent resistance means you can enjoy the flowers without wildlife destroying them.
-
Versatile in terms of design – works in borders, rock gardens, containers, and more.
-
Good cut flowers that can be used in arrangements. Dried seed heads have ornamental value too.
-
Suitable for many climates given its hardiness to cold winters and hot summers.
Alternative Plants to Consider
While tall flower purple ball top offers some nice benefits, it may not be the best choice for all gardens. Here are a few alternative purple flowering plants to consider:
-
Allium christophii (Star of Persia allium) – Similar look but flowers are lighter lavender.
-
Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ (Caradonna sage) – Spikes of purple flowers on taller stems.
-
Nepeta x faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ (Walker’s Low catmint) – Groundcover with blue-purple blooms.
-
Veronica spicata (Spike speedwell) – Dense upright purple flower spikes in early summer.
-
Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove beardtongue) – Native wildflower with tall spikes of tubular purple flowers.
With its eye-catching purple floral spheres atop tall stems, it’s easy to see why tall flower purple ball top has become a garden favorite. This hardy, low-maintenance bulb provides a beautiful pop of spring color and is versatile enough to work in many different garden designs and climates. For best results, plant bulbs in groups, provide full sun, and enjoy the vibrant blossoms!
USE CODE FREESHIP149 AT CHECKOUT FOR FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $149
This Free Shipping offer expires 12/31/25 and requires a $149 minimum purchase amount. This offer cannot be applied to previous purchases or combined with any other offer. This offer applies to Economy Shipping only for orders shipped within the lower 48 states; it cannot be applied to items with additional shipping charges, faster shipping or delivery services from our garden centers.
Find more garden information
Discover the grace and good manners of these under-appreciated perennials Written by
Ive been gardening and writing about gardening for more than 20 years, yet I find Im always learning new things about the plants, insects and other critters that call my backyard home. Thats the great thing about gardening — its never boring! Ive worked as a landscaper, on an organic farm, as a research technician in a plant pathology lab and ran a small cut-flower business, all of which inform my garden writing. Someone once asked me when Ill be finished with my gardens, to which I replied, “Never!” For me, gardening is a process, not a goal. Horiculture review by.
Maria Genovese is our staff Copywriter at Gardeners Supply. Maria holds an MA in Writing & Publishing from DePaul University—and her passion for gardening is just as strong as her writing skills. She was a Landscape Gardener at Mama’s Gardens in the Champlain Islands not long ago and took the Vermont Garden Network’s “Thriving Gardens” course. She is participating in the University of Vermont Master Gardener program in 2025.
Last updated: March 27, 2025 | 4 min read
Onions, shallots and garlic are members of the allium family that belong in the vegetable garden. But there are many ornamental alliums that deserve a hearty welcome in your perennial gardens.
Alliums are plants of exquisite beauty in both flower and leaf, with tough constitutions. These easy-to-grow bulbs come in a broad palette of colors, heights, bloom times and flower forms. They make excellent cut flowers for fresh or dried bouquets. Even crowded gardens can accommodate a few alliums because they dont take up much space. Whats more, alliums are relatively resistant to deer, voles, chipmunks, and rabbits.
How to Plant Allium Bulbs + Best Allium Varieties for Your Garden!! // Northlawn Flower Farm
FAQ
What are the flowers with tall purple balls?
Allium flowers are generally ball-shaped in appearance and can range in size from a marble to a small grapefruit. Purple is the dominant color, however various shades of violet, pink and white are also common.
Do giant alliums come back every year?
How many years do alliums last? Alliums are perennials so will last many years but will need to be divided every 3-4 years.
What to do with giant alliums after flowering?
After giant alliums finish flowering, it’s best to leave the foliage intact until it turns yellow and withers, as the leaves are still gathering energy for the bulb.
What is the flower with a big purple ball?
People who aren’t gardeners will notice how beautiful the Giant Allium is. These huge flowers, which are about the size of softballs and have beautiful purple blooms, sway on strong stems in late spring.