How to collect allium seeds

Alliums are spectacular plants, so it's worth saving a few seeds to grow more for the garden.

Seeds from cultivars won't be true to type, but it's fun to grow them anyway and see what you get. You can either sow the ripe seeds straightaway, in the ground where you want them to grow. Or store the seeds in the fridge, to sow the next spring, either directly in the ground or in trays of gritty compost. When sowing direct or planting out, choose a sheltered, sunny spot with sharp drainage to get the best display.The seeds will germinate quickly and reach flowering size in a couple of years.

If you want to keep the seedheads in the garden for winter interest, try tapping the seeds directly into a paper bag. You could also re-use the cut seedheads in indoor displays.