The flower heads stay (normally purple) for months. The flowers will eventually turn into seed heads and you get about 2-3 seeds inside these. They can self seed but you will not get flowers for years if they do.

Never thought of drying them, though I know that you can press them. I know if you cut them they do not last long, less than a week before they lose colour, fade and drop lots of the parts of the flowers off.

Do you mean if you leave the bulbs in the ground? I've left my Alliums in the border for 4 years and they have been fine EXCEPT for one which was lost to the dreadful frosts that we had in the Winter. I really love them and the flower heads look lovely for months.

Thanks, I always thought that the colour stayed but seem to have some memory of the colour going very quickly last year. One more thing, can I cut the leaves off as they are very untidy ? Thanks again

Please don't cut the leaves of Bridget they are what is feeding the bulb so you will get a good flower next year. In fact once the flower has died back you need to feed the bulbs by watering with half strength liquid tomato food.

MG - I have lost a few of my flower heads, would I feed the bulbs now or wait until they should have finished flowering? I have just left the leaves to rot away, they will be completely covered pretty soon so I don't mind that.

I'd start feeding as soon as the flower goes over or is lost due to the wind.

Thanks for the tip MG.

Thanks for your answers. I will leave the leaves alone. I will leave the flowers in now I know they will last that long. Thanks again.

Once a flower, any flower, is cut it starts to die as it is not being sustained by the plant.

Many thanks for your help.