Arnold Trachtenberg <arnold@nj.rr.com> writes: >Actually I have sphaerocephalon at the other end of >the bed and they are almost the same size. The >guttatum is about two to three inches shorter. It is >a first year planting so it may get bigger once it >settles in. Hmm, you didn't say what the height is, just a relative difference. A couple things to consider. A. sphaerocephalon can vary from relative giants (nearly 5'), on average growing about 3-1/2', to much shorter forms, even dwarf ones, and at least one prostrate form that Brian Mathew has identified. Most times when I've grown sphaerocephalon, it's been about 3' - 3.5 feet (90 - 105 cm). Also, this species, like many alliums, responds to soil and moisture conditions to an alarming extent. So, dry, poor or sandy soils might yeild plants only 2' tall, the same bulbs grown in rich, moist yet well drained soil might be double that size. Regarding Allium guttatum ssp. sardoum and ssp. dalmaticum (white and purple color variants respectively), both reach the same height for me, about 18" - 24" (45 - 60 cm), and is a rather smaller plant than sphaerocephalon, unless of course, one of the other growth and genetic factors is present. Of course I grow them in very sandy, dryish soil. This year, only one bulb of each subspecies has returned to flower, and I might need to replenish the stock soon. It's available from Pacific Rim Nursery. Mark McDonough Pepperell, Massachusetts, United States antennaria@aol.com "New England" USDA Zone 5 ============================================== >> web site under construction - http://www.plantbuzz.com/ << alliums, bulbs, penstemons, hardy hibiscus, western american alpines, iris, plants of all types!