Bees enjoy ornamental alliums and they make excellent cut flowers. These purple pom-pom flowers, which are planted in the fall for spring blossoms, make a striking statement when planted in large groups. Even better, because they are related to onions, they typically resist rodents and deer.
Add Alliums to Your Garden
I am tempted to plant more bulbs every fall. You might think that after 30 years I wouldn’t need any more daffodils, and I really don’t, but it doesn’t stop me from sowing more!
There are numerous options available when it comes to bulbs. The ornamental onions are one of my favorite categories (alliums). There are more than 700 different kinds of ornamental onions, which are distant cousins of culinary alliums like onions and garlic. Some grow to only be 6 inches tall, while others can reach heights of over 5 feet! Others resemble blasts of pyrotechnics, while some have nodding bell-shaped flowers.
Then there are the enormous, spherical flowerheads, which look like chive blossoms on steroids! The blooms are long, delicate stems that wave globes of color high in the air. Look for an allium if you need an exclamation point of color to take your garden from daffodils to peonies because most alliums bloom later than the spring bulbs.
Alliums look fantastic when planted singly or in large quantities. They are ideal for a planting plan with a naturalistic feel.
To appreciate their variety and beauty, watch this video:
Deer- and Rodent-Resistent
Since they belong to the onion family, rats, rabbits, and deer typically stay away from them because of their pungent flavor. In fact, a ring of allium around more delicate plants may help to keep grazers away from them.
The majority of the blossoms are fairly pleasantly perfumed and a favorite of bees and other pollinators, but they don’t smell “oniony at all.” The majority of allium blossoms have a sweet aroma, despite the fact that when damaged, their leaves and stems release an oniony odor. They can be dried as well as made into long-lasting cut flowers.
Best Allium Varieties
Alliums used as ornaments typically bloom in deep pinks and purples, although some also produce flowers that are creamy white, sky blue, and sunny yellow (A. neapolitanum, for example) (A. moly). While the majority produce globes of tightly clustered flowers, several species, like the native North American A. cernuum, A. triquetrum, and A. siculum, droop subtly.
These alliums come in a variety of sizes, from little to tall. I wish I had pictures of all of them!
- With a height of only 3-6 inches, dwarf Allium oreophilum is one of the smallest charmers. It has loose clusters of fragrant, rose-colored blooms.
- Native to North America, the nodding onion (A. cernuum) has bell-shaped flowers that hang from its 6–8 inch tall stalks. They are available in white, pink, purple, and other colours that are ideal for a sunny rock garden.
- The blue-green leaves of golden garlic (A. moly) ‘Jeannine’ are topped with 2 to 3 inch broad clusters of yellow blooms that resemble stars on stalks that are 8 to 10 inches tall. Its origins are in southern Europe, where it was seen as a symbol of luck and prosperity. A. moly has numerous blooms, adapts well to natural environments, and tolerates some shade. It works well in beds and borders or a rock garden because it is less than a foot tall. (A. flavum has bell-shaped florets, is taller, and is also yellow.)
- Try A. caeruleum if you want a real lollypop. It is a native of Siberia and reaches heights of 12 to 18 inches. Its 1-2 inch broad, tightly packed spherical flowers.
- The bride’s onion, or A. neapolitanum, has pure-white, star-shaped flowers that grow in loose umbels. It is only a foot tall and requires full light, but only in Zones 7 and 8 does it become perennial due to its lack of winter hardiness. Similar in shape to A. roseum, but with pink flower heads.
- Seek out A. schubertii if you’re looking for something a little unique. It has a massive starburst of tiny pink blooms that resembles a Fourth of July sparkler. It reaches 12 to 18 inches tall as well.
- The enormous flower head of the Star of Persia (A. christophii) can measure 8 to 10 inches across and contain up to 100 distinct pinkish-purple flowers. From 18 to 24 inches tall, it grows.
- The maroon-red balls of blooms on the stalks of drumstick alliums (A. sphaerocephalon) measure 20 to 24 inches in height. They thrive in Zones 4 to 10 and grow to a height of 2 feet. They create an intriguing statement in the yard or vase because they are fragrant and clearly have a percussive appearance.
- A. atropurpureum, a native of eastern Europe, with a dark crimson appearance similar to that of Queen Anne’s lace.
- One of the most beautiful species is A. aflatunense, sometimes known as ornamental garlic. A lilac-purple globe made up of dozens of tiny, star-shaped flowers rises about 10 inches above slender, blue-green foliage. Two aflatunense hybrids that are native to Iran, “Lucy Ball” and “Purple Sensation,” are deep, dark purple flowers that naturally grow in gardens.
- Purple to the bone? A pure white allium called “Mount Everest” has blossoms that are 4-6 inches wide and resemble enormous snowballs. It can grow to be 3 to 4 feet tall. On stalks that are 3 to 4 feet tall, the flowerheads on “White Giant” are much bigger.
- True cornflower-blue A. azureum, sometimes known as blue of the heavens, can reach heights of two feet.
- The appropriately named enormous onion, A. giganteum, is unquestionably the largest. These are the big guys, as implied by their Latin names. They can reach heights of 6 feet, have gray-green leaves, and produce large, spherical, deep purple flowerheads that measure 5 to 10 inches around.
- A. karataviense is the ideal allium to grow in containers. It only about 8 to 10 inches tall, but it bears 4-inch flowers that are mildly perfumed. It typically has pink and light lavender blooms.
- A hybrid named “Globemaster” has deep violet, 6- to 8-inch globe-shaped flower heads and grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet.
- ‘Gladiator’ bears softball-sized rosy-purple flowers and reaches heights of 3 to 5 feet.
- The tallest hybrid, “Summer Drummer,” stands 4 to 6 feet tall. It has flowers the size of baseballs that have a mixture of purple and white florets.
Allium Planting and Growing Tips
Allium planting and upkeep couldn’t be simpler:
- Alliums like a sunny location and rich, well-drained soil, however many species may also tolerate some shade.
- The bulbs should be planted in the fall, when they are dormant. Set all bulbs except the largest ones 4 inches deep in the fall; huge bulbs should be set 8 inches deep, measured from the base of the bulb.
- Alliums look best planted in groups around the garden; when left standing alone, they can be awkward. For large alliums, planting a clump of three to five well-spaced bulbs or a group of ten to fifteen bulbs for smaller species produces the greatest results.
- Alliums go well with mounding perennials like lady’s mantle, real geraniums, irises, or sedum if you’re seeking for appropriate companion plants. Peonies, hostas, and silver-leaved artemesias are all attractive companion flowers. These will aid in concealing the foliage of the alliums, which has a tendency to turn brown by the time they flower.
- Around fresh sprouts in the spring, spread compost.
- Taller cultivars should be staked to sustain the blooms.
- Feed with a liquid fertilizer in the early summer.
- The bulbs have a long lifespan and proliferate easily. Most will naturalize in Zones 4 to 8, and they bloom between the springtime carnival of bloom and the full summer bloom, in May, June, or even July.
- Allium lend a soft beauty of their own when they turn into seed heads.
- Cutting tip: Cut alliums when the flower heads are only about one-quarter open for indoor bouquets. When you cut the stems, any slight oniony smell that was produced will disappear as soon as you submerge them in water.
When you go bulb shopping this fall, think about enhancing your yard with a show-stopping huge allium or a delicate-looking dwarf!
When does the allium flower?
There are numerous cultivable variants; the following are some of the best:
The 2 to 4 inch diameter purple globes known as “Purple Sensation” bloom in early June, just following the late tulips. Purple Sensation has robust stems that reach 24 to 30 inches in height, giving the flowers an airy appearance above the foliage of perennials that have just begun to emerge.
The tallest and most edifice-like alliums, Globemaster and Gladiator, feature enormous, globe-shaped flowerheads on 3- to 4-foot stalks. Early to mid-June is when plants bloom. Particularly when combined with white or pink peonies, delphiniums, or tall bearded iris, a group of deep-purple Globemaster or Gladiator alliums is a true eye-catcher. Shorter and more angular Mount Everest with white flowers stands out sharply in front of shrubs with deep green or burgundy foliage or when emerging from periwinkle groundcover (Vinca minor).
Allium thunbergii ‘Ozawa’ (Ozawa allium): a neat, clump-forming plant that reaches heights of 18 to 20 inches. Its flowers frequently don’t emerge until late September or October, making it one among the last perennials to bloom. It attracts bees. Another autumn-flowering late-bloomer. Its pink flowers go well with fall blooms like coreopsis, gaillardia, solidago, and others.
Corkscrew allium: In the dry soil at the top of my stone retaining wall, drought-tolerant corkscrew allium (Allium senescens ssp. montanum var. glaucum) makes a good edging plant. Its loose, blue-green leaves resemble corkscrews. Late July is bloom time.
Even though it is only 8? tall, the Schubert allium (Allium schubertii) is quite spectacular. Its foot-wide umbels resemble a pink fireworks display that is bursting. Visitors to the garden will undoubtedly comment on this. After the blooms have faded for a month or more, the seed heads offer interest.
Allium sphaerocephalon, also known as the drumstick allium, blooms in early July, a few weeks after Purple Sensation. The two-toned, burgundy-green heads are great in the correct setting (where casual is acceptable); but, they are not as upright and ordered as Purple Sensation. fantastic with decorative grasses.
Yellow allium (Allium flavum): A favorite with midsummer blooms that works nicely in rock gardens. The floret cluster steadily emerges over the course of ten days to become a riot of color. Similar species, 12 to 24 inches tall, are available in yellow, pink, and white.
Do alliums reappear each year?
The foliage of the allium often appears at least a month before the flowers do. Some species’ foliage starts to turn yellow and die off before the flowers are fully open. Plant the bulbs with other plants that will obscure the wilting foliage to help mask it. Alliums do well with hosta, astilbe, and perennial geranium.
When your alliums are blooming, you may anticipate seeing a lot of pollinators. Any type of habitat garden will benefit greatly from the inclusion of these bulbs.
Like their relatives in the vegetable garden, alliums hardly ever have insect or disease problems. Rarely do bothersome rats and deer show any interest.
Most alliums are perennial plants. They will typically bloom again if the species you are planting is winter hardy and the bulbs are suitable to the growing environment in your yard.
Caring for Alliums After They Flower
Allium wasted flower heads can be removed or left in situ once flowering is over. The seed heads are viewed as an intriguing decorative element by many gardeners. Depending on your environment, they may persist far into the beginning of the fall.
Large-headed alliums like Schubertii and Globemaster hardly ever produce viable seeds. Purple Sensation and drumstick alliums will reseed if the conditions are favorable. Simply remove the seed heads after the flowers have faded and before the seeds develop to prevent a carpet of tiny volunteers.
There are herbaceous alliums as well as alliums that grow from bulbs, including varieties like Millennium and Summer Beauty. These plants have a big root system and come back every year to blossom.
Alliums that emerge from bulbs require their foliage in order to generate energy for the blossoms of the next year. Therefore, it’s crucial to let these plants die back organically. The leaves may typically be removed with a simple tug once it has turned yellow and dried. Trim off the wasted blooms from herbaceous alliums with hedge shears or scissors once they have stopped blooming. This will maintain the plants’ clean appearance and might promote a second flush of blossoms.
Why didn’t my allium plants bloom this year?
Although alliums can suffer in a drought, they do best in well-draining soil (it is a good idea to add some grit when planting bulbs to ensure proper soil drainage around the bulbs).
In the Spring and Summer, the allium may not flower or give a meager show of flowers if conditions are too dry.
Alliums store energy for the following year’s blossoms in their bulbs during the fall, thus persistent dry weather during this time might also hinder a strong flower show.
The most of the year, alliums require little maintenance, but if there is a severe drought in the spring, summer, or fall, give the soil a good soak once a week to make sure the bulbs can access the moisture when needed.
Watering shouldn’t be done in the winter because the bulb is dormant and too much moisture can cause decay.
Alliums in pots are typically more vulnerable to drought than bulbs placed along garden borders. In order to encourage flowering in the spring, water the bulbs once a week consistently if there has been dry weather.
Key Takeaways:
- Alliums typically fail to bloom because the bulb is immature, planted too shallowly, or planted at the incorrect time of year. Alliums can also be prevented from flowering by drought, lack of sunlight, and soggy soil.
- To have enough energy to flower, alliums need to be planted in stony, well-draining soil and be grown in full sun.
- Manure-amended soil and soil that has received nitrogen fertilizer frequently encourage the growth of foliage at the expense of flowering plants.
- In the late Summer and early Fall, pruning the foliage too soon while it is still green can stop the allium from providing the bulb with nutrition, moisture, and energy for the upcoming flowering season. Once the foliage becomes brown, only trim it back.
What is the lifespan of allium plants?
The blossoms of allium plants are large, softball-sized, and purple in color. They thrive in areas that are both sunny and protected, where the wind is less likely to tear the blossoms apart. They typically bloom in the early summer under these circumstances and last for three weeks on average.
Deadhead the blossoms once the flowers have gone. However, keep the foliage in place because it needs time to naturally wither in order for the bulbs to store energy for the growth of the following season. It’s a good idea to put alliums in a bed with later flowering flowers that might disguise and obscure them because the leaves may look a touch scraggly.
Do allium bulbs grow in numbers?
Taller people can need assistance when exposed. After the flowers have faded, let the plant with them until they disintegrate because they make for wonderful winter interest. Some gardeners collect the seedheads and dry them so they can be used as home decor.
Allium bulbs can stay in the garden for multiple seasons. When planting new plants, try to keep in mind where you already put bulbs to prevent damaging those areas.
How to propagate alliums
In a few years, allium bulbs will grow in number. You may occasionally see the white bulbs being pushed out of the ground. Carefully pull the bulbs and gently peel out the offsets in late autumn or very early spring to replant them directly into the ground.
Allium can be grown from seed by leaving the flowerheads on the plant and harvesting the ripe seed to sow right away. Keep in mind that starting alliums from seed requires patience because it takes years to produce a flowering plant.
Growing alliums: pests and problem solving
A fungus called allium white rot prevents the growth of other alliums and onions. Clear and burn the infected plant material, and stay away from growing alliums in the same spot for at least five years, to prevent recurring infections.
Alliums have a tendency to outgrow their surroundings. Learn how to control the amount of alliums growing in a border in this Gardeners’ World video: