Bulbs
Allium’Millenium ' . Photo by : Proven Winners
With public figure like ‘ prizefighter ’ , ‘ Goliath ’ , and ‘ Globemaster ’ , there ’s no dubiousness about the knock-down punch decorative onion plant can bundle . The Earth - shaped bloom of youth are comprised of hundreds of dumbly pack item-by-item flower . They also make voguish pairings with a overplus of other perennial and even bring a touch of humor .
We find killer combinations of qualities in cosmetic onions : easy and gorgeous , elegant and playful , kickshaw and bold , at home in bothmeadow gardensand courtly borders . complete “ tuck - ins , ” they play well with other plant , and recall reliably yr after year . With slews of colors , heights , and sizes , there are Allium for every garden , modest or big . They also make outstanding , long - lasting undercut flowers .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Design Ideas
On this pageboy :
THE BASICS
Botanical name:
Alliumspp . Onions , chives , garlic , and leeks also go to the genusAllium .
Common names:
Ornamental onion
Zones:
3 - 8 , depending on form
Height/spread:
12 to 36 inches grandiloquent , 3 to 18 inches broad , depending on variety
Exposure:
Most choose full sun — even part shade will make them tip over , strive for the light source . But a few species , such as nodding onion , garlic chives , andAllium karataviensecan take a morsel of shade .
Bloom Time:
former summer , just as spring blooper are winding down and will continue until summer foul-up kick back into gear .
Allium flowers:
Most are purplish - pink , they also come in white , blue , and yellow .
Are alliums deer resistant?
Close cousins to onions and garlic , cervid are deterred by their scent .
Allium caeruleumbulbs . Photo by : Max_555 / Shutterstock
PLANTING ALLIUM BULBS
When to plant:
works in fall , a few weeks before the land freezes .
How to plant:
industrial plant allium bulbs double as deep as the medulla oblongata is tall , with the pointy end up .
Soil:
Generally tolerant of soil type ; the important thing to remember is they must have well - drained stain . head off blotto locations , peculiarly during their abeyant period , which can take to rotting .
Can alliums be grown from seed?
They can be raise from cum , but hybrid wo n’t come true and you may terminate up waitress a year or more for them to bloom .
discover and like for blossom bulb .
ALLIUM CARE
" Allium is such a great plant to split and share with friends and neighbors . It ’s so sluttish to take care of , water - wise , pollinator favorable , winter interest , loves full Dominicus — you really do n’t have to consider about this plant life . " — Heather Blackmore
Watch the full video for more confidential information on split up alliums .
Watering:
During the grow time of year , supply Allium with evenly moist , but not boggy , filth . Cut back watering in the hibernating season when too much water can cause rot .
Fertilizing:
Add bone meal to the planting area at the time of planting . In pursue age , add a layer ofcompostto keep soil healthy .
After blooming:
tolerate foliage to cash in one’s chips back naturally ; do n’t cut it off while still unripe since it give the bulbs and limit them up for a successful flower expose the next twelvemonth . To avoid seeing fading bulb leaf , plant among perennials that expect similar conditions .
Dividing:
Alliums are easy to divide and doing so every 3 to 4 years helps maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding . The best meter to split is in the fall , while the grease is still warm , but at least 6 weeks before the ground freezes . but dig up the thumping , separate the shallow - rooted bulbs by hand or with a nigger , and replant them at their original depth . Dividing is also a outstanding way to spread alliums to other areas of the garden or apportion with fellow gardener .
Staking:
Although their stem turn are strong , tall variety should be staked if planted in windy areas .
Pests and diseases:
Alliums are virtually pest - spare and will even repel garden pestilence such asaphids . However , thripscan be problematic occasionally . They also attractbeneficial insectssuch as bees , parasitic mini WASP , and hoverflies that assist keep insect pestis under control .
TYPES OF ALLIUMS
Photo by : Proven succeeder
' Serendipity'—Buy now from Proven WinnersAlliumhybrid
Zones:4 - 8
Height / spread:15 to 20 in tall , 10 to 15 inch wide
This award - winning hybrid variety is loose to grow in either full sun or partial shade , in any type of soil .
' Millenium'—Buy now from Proven WinnersAlliumhybrid
Height / spread:12 to 18 inches tall & broad
This after - blooming assortment ( July - August ) will appreciate some light good afternoon shade in warmer climates .
' Bobblehead'—Buy now from Proven WinnersAlliumhybrid
Height / spread:30 to 32 inches marvellous , 20 to 24 in all-embracing
This come upon improbable allium have pale lilac Earth - shaped heyday , twisted blue - green foliation , and showy seedheads — perfect for pollinators .
pic by : LapalirKrapai / Shutterstock
Allium giganteumGiant onion , giant genus Allium
Zones:5 - 8
Height / spread:3 to 5 feet tall , 1 - 1/2 to 2 feet extensive
Shelter this taller variety from firm tip or supply staking for support .
photograph by : sharohyip / Shutterstock
Allium’Gladiator '
Six - inch - wide efflorescence heads all-embracing bloom on staunch up to 5 - feet tall in June to July . respectable implant in group of 10 or more .
exposure by : Rob Cardillo
A. sphaerocephalonDrumstick allium
acme / spread:24 to 36 inch tall , 12 to 18 inches wide
Drumstick allium construct a good fellow traveler for shorter perennials , or as a see - through front of the molding industrial plant .
Read genus Allium .
exposure by : skyfish / Shutterstock
A. molyLily leek , gold garlic
Zones:3 - 9
Height / spread:9 to 18 inches marvellous , 6 to 9 in wide
A alone yellow allium with star - shape yellow flowers that bloom in loose clusters . To help command circulate , deadhead prime before they go to seeded player .
A. cristophiiStar of Persia
Height / spread:12 to 24 inches grandiloquent , 6 to 18 column inch wide
volleyball game - size flower head word add dramatic play when emerging through blue - growing perennials . Flower heads dry well , like firework frozen in time .
Allium’Mount Everest '
peak / spread:24 to 36 inches tall , 9 to 12 inches wide
Six - inch snowballs of heyday bloom in late spring to early summertime . Low - originate foliation does n’t pop off back during flowering , making a green ground cover under the blooms .
A. unifoliumOneleaf onion
Height / spread:1 to 2 feet tall , 3 to 4 in wide
West Coast aboriginal with half - buck - size prime heads that flower May to July . More wet tolerant than other genus Allium , ground in wild grassland that are dampish during the spring . Be prepared for it to spread and naturalise .
A. hollandicum’Purple Sensation '
Height / spread:24 to 32 inch tall , 12 to 18 inch wide of the mark
Hundreds of purplish flowers are packed into perfect baseball - size of it globes — a authoritative ornamental onion . A keen gash flower , it can last three weeks in a vase .
A. cernumNodding onion plant , lady ’s scallion
Height / spread:12 to 18 inches tall , 3 to 6 inches wide of the mark
A summer - blooming North American wild flower , native to dry unresolved forest and meadows . blossom stalk have a typical crook at the destruction , so the flowers attend downward .
A. caeruleum
Height / spread:12 to 24 inch tall , 6 to 12 inches wide
This unambiguously blue allium blooms in June and July with half - dollar - size blossom headland . Naturalizes in the garden in a welcome , not weedy , way .
DESIGNING WITH ALLIUMS
Allium’Globemaster ' . Photo by : Rolf E. Staerk / Shutterstock
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do alliums come back every year?
Yes , most genus Allium are perennial and will fall yr after year if planted in well - drain soil . Many varieties domesticate and slowly procreate over time , specially in ideal conditions .
Why didn’t my alliums bloom?
There are several reasons why alliums may not bloom , include :
Can I grow alliums in containers?
Yes , many minor allium varieties likeAllium molyor ‘ Millenium ’ can expand in containers . practice a well - run out potting mix and a container with good drainage jam . ensure to protect the pot from suspend in very cold clime , or hive away it in a sheltered spot over winter . check off out this short video onplanting genus Allium bulbs in quite a little .
What’s the difference between spring-blooming and summer-blooming alliums?
Spring - blooming genus Allium ( likeAllium giganteumand ‘ Purple Sensation ’ ) grow from true bulbs and are constitute in the gloam , just like tulips and daffodil . These bulbs go torpid over summertime and re - come forth the next spring .
In line , many summer - bloom genus Allium — such asAllium‘Millenium ’ andA. nutans — are actually rhizomatous or chunk - form perennial rather than classic bulbs . These are often sell as container - grown plant life and can be planted in spring or dusk . Their foliation tends to detain attractive longer into the time of year , and they do n’t require the same dormancy period as dead on target bulbs . See this short video for more : summertime vs. Spring Alliums .
