Allium 'Little Sapphire' is a compact ornamental onion prized for its fine grassy blue green foliage and clusters of lavender purple flower balls that rise just above the leaves in early summer. The foliage remains attractive well after bloom, forming neat mounds that hold their shape throughout the season. It makes an excellent edging or front of border plant, adding texture and color without overwhelming its companions.
Height & Spread: 8 - 10 in x 12 - 14 in
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained, sandy or rocky soil
Watering Needs: Low; prefers dry to average moisture
Deer Resistance: Highly deer resistant
Native Status
This cultivar is a hybrid developed for ornamental use and is not native to North America, though its parent species are Eurasian in origin.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Attracts a variety of butterflies such as Painted Ladies and Red Admirals with its clustered nectar rich blooms.
Bees
- Highly attractive to native bees and honeybees providing a valuable pollen source in early summer.
Moths
- Draws day flying moths including sphinx moths and plume moths that feed on its nectar rich umbels.
Beneficial Insects
- Flowers attract hoverflies and predatory wasps that assist in controlling aphids and other soft bodied pests.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 10 - 12 in apart to form a continuous edging or drift of fine textured blue green foliage and flower heads.
Landscape Placement
- Best used along sunny borders, gravel beds, rock gardens, or as a contrast plant among silver and chartreuse foliage. It performs well in small groupings or as a low mass planting.
Companion Plants
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' (Threadleaf Coreopsis) - Soft yellow flowers and airy foliage pair well with the fine texture and compact habit of Allium 'Little Sapphire'.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' (Wood Sage) - Offers upright purple spikes that echo Allium’s color while contrasting in form.
- Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) - Aromatic gray foliage and violet blooms complement Allium’s tidy mounds and drought preference.
- Thymus serpyllum (Creeping Thyme) - Forms a dense mat beneath Allium clumps, providing low bloom color and textural contrast.
- Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' (Blue Fescue) - Its icy blue blades intensify the cool tones of Allium’s leaves and extend the season of interest.