Alliums growing small

[PrideRavyn]

My Aunt-in-Law has asked me to ask all you lovely knowledgable people for some advice regarding her alliums - last year they came up and the heads were huge, 'the size of dinnerplates' she says but this year they have come up and the heads are tiny, the size of ping pong balls!

Is there a reason for this?

[IgglePiggle]

Maybe they need a good feed after they flowered

[selfraising]

Perhaps it's the long winter we've had?

[dincur]

Hi Ravyn, If your aunt had more than 1 variety the clue could be there. There is one type Allium 'Shooting Stars' I think which looks to big to be real. The flower colour isn't that strong though. Size wise beneath that you've got the deep purple ones about the size of a small tennis ball, and beneath them they're are blueish purpley ones that sound like your ping pongs. They are the main commercial varieties offered for sale and there are a whole host of other wild species in many colours. If your aunt had purchased a few varieties the big ones may have taken a year out and the smaller ones matured and flowered.