The thing I love most about this time of year is the process by which new flower buds slowly open up and reveal their hidden treasures. I particularly love watching my Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ as the buds break free from the papery bracts protecting them and explode into a profusion of perky florets. The allium ‘flower’ is actually a cluster of much smaller flowers (florets) atop a stem–this type of arrangement is called an inflorescence.
The papery bract begins to split open under the strain of the growing florets.
The florets start to take on color.
The emerging inflorescence, seen from above.
Individual florets begin to bloom. Close-up of a floret.
The newly emerged inflorescence, seen from above.
Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ in bloom.
Perennial Pastimes 
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