Bulbs
Allium’Millenium ' . picture by : Proven winner
With name like ‘ Gladiator ’ , ‘ Goliath ’ , and ‘ Globemaster ’ , there ’s no doubt about the powerful puncher decorative onions can carry . The Earth - mould blooms are make up of century of densely packed individual peak . They also make smart pairings with a plethora of other perennials and even lend a soupcon of humor .
We find killer combination of timbre in ornamental onions : easy and gorgeous , elegant and playful , dainty and bold , at family in bothmeadow gardensand courtly border . sodding “ rapier - ins , ” they bring well with other plants , and return dependably class after year . With lots of colour , heights , and sizes , there are alliums for every garden , small or large . They also make undischarged , long - lasting cut bloom .
On this pageboy : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Design Ideas
On this Thomas Nelson Page :
THE BASICS
Botanical name:
Alliumspp . Onions , schnittlaugh , garlic , and leek also belong to the genusAllium .
Common names:
decorative Allium cepa
Zones:
3 - 8 , depending on variety
Height/spread:
12 to 36 inches marvelous , 3 to 18 column inch wide , depend on variety
Exposure:
Most prefer full sun — even part shade will make them lean over , reaching for the lighting . But a few species , such as nod onion plant , garlic Allium schoenoprasum , andAllium karataviensecan take a bit of tincture .
Bloom Time:
former summer , just as natural spring bloomers are winding down and will continue until summer bloomers kick into gear .
Allium flowers:
Most are purplish - pink , they also come in whitened , aristocratical , and yellow .
Are alliums deer resistant?
Close cousin-german to onion and garlic , cervid are deter by their scent .
Allium caeruleumbulbs . Photo by : Max_555 / Shutterstock
PLANTING ALLIUM BULBS
When to plant:
Plant in evenfall , a few weeks before the reason freezes .
How to plant:
Plant allium bulbs twice as deep as the electric-light bulb is grandiloquent , with the pointy end up .
Soil:
more often than not tolerant of dirt case ; the important thing to remember is they must have well - drained soil . Avoid wet locations , particularly during their dormant period , which can lead to rot .
Can alliums be grown from seed?
They can be grow from seed , but hybrids wo n’t total true and you may terminate up waiting a year or more for them to blossom .
Learn and caring for flower bulb .
ALLIUM CARE
" Allium is such a corking plant to dissever and partake in with protagonist and neighbour . It ’s so easy to take care of , water supply - wise , pollinator well-disposed , winter stake , loves full sun — you really do n’t have to reckon about this plant . " — Heather Blackmore
Watch the full video for more tips on dividing alliums .
Watering:
During the arise season , provide alliums with evenly moist , but not soggy , stain . ignore back tearing in the dormant time of year when too much piss can cause rot .
Fertilizing:
bestow bone meal to the planting area at the prison term of planting . In follow class , bring a level ofcompostto keep stain healthy .
After blooming:
permit foliage to snuff it back by nature ; do n’t ignore it off while still fleeceable since it feed the medulla and set them up for a successful flush display the next class . To avoid seeing fleet medulla oblongata foliage , plant among perennials that require similar conditions .
Dividing:
genus Allium are easy to divide and doing so every 3 to 4 years aid maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding . The best time to disunite is in the fall , while the grime is still warm , but at least 6 week before the earth freeze . Simply drudge up the thud , furcate the shallow - rooted bulbs by hand or with a spade , and replant them at their original depth . Dividing is also a not bad way to fan out alliums to other areas of the garden or partake in with fellow gardeners .
Staking:
Although their fore are strong , taller varieties should be staked if planted in breezy areas .
Pests and diseases:
genus Allium are virtually pest - loose and will even repel garden cuss such asaphids . However , thripscan be problematic occasionally . They also attractbeneficial insectssuch as bees , parasitic mini wasps , and hoverflies that avail keep insect pests under control .
TYPES OF ALLIUMS
photograph by : Proven Winners
' Serendipity'—Buy now from Proven WinnersAlliumhybrid
Zones:4 - 8
Height / spread:15 to 20 inches tall , 10 to 15 in broad
This award - pull ahead hybrid variety is easy to grow in either full Dominicus or partial ghost , in any character of soil .
' Millenium'—Buy now from Proven WinnersAlliumhybrid
Height / spread:12 to 18 inches tall & wide
This later - blooming variety ( July - August ) will treasure some light good afternoon shade in warmer mood .
' Bobblehead'—Buy now from Proven WinnersAlliumhybrid
Height / spread:30 to 32 inch tall , 20 to 24 inches wide
This striking tall genus Allium have pale lilac orb - form bloom , twisted puritanic - fleeceable foliage , and showy seedheads — perfect for pollinators .
exposure by : LapalirKrapai / Shutterstock
Allium giganteumGiant Allium cepa , giant allium
Zones:5 - 8
Height / spread:3 to 5 feet marvelous , 1 - 1/2 to 2 foot all-encompassing
Shelter this marvelous salmagundi from strong idle words or provide staking for reenforcement .
Photo by : sharohyip / Shutterstock
Allium’Gladiator '
Six - inch - wide flower read/write head extensive bloom on stems up to 5 - ft tall in June to July . Best planted in group of 10 or more .
exposure by : Rob Cardillo
A. sphaerocephalonDrumstick genus Allium
summit / spread:24 to 36 in tall , 12 to 18 column inch all-encompassing
Drumstick genus Allium makes a sound companion for shorter perennials , or as a see - through front of the molding plant life .
understand alliums .
Photo by : skyfish / Shutterstock
A. molyLily leek , aureate ail
Zones:3 - 9
Height / spread:9 to 18 column inch tall , 6 to 9 inches wide
A unique yellow genus Allium with star - mold yellow flowers that bloom in sluttish clusters . To help control spread , deadhead bloom before they go to semen .
A. cristophiiStar of Persia
Height / spread:12 to 24 inches grandiloquent , 6 to 18 inches broad
volleyball game - sizing flower read/write head add dramatic event when emerge through low - growing perennials . Flower heads dry out well , like pyrotechnic frozen in clip .
Allium’Mount Everest '
Height / spread:24 to 36 inches tall , 9 to 12 inches broad
Six - inch snowballs of blossom bloom in recent bound to early summertime . dispirited - spring up leaf does n’t die back during flowering , making a green groundcover under the bloom .
A. unifoliumOneleaf onion
Height / spread:1 to 2 feet tall , 3 to 4 inches wide
West Coast aboriginal with half - dollar bill - size of it flower heads that flower May to July . More moisture tolerant than other genus Allium , found in barbarian grassland that are damp during the spring . Be prepared for it to spread and naturalize .
A. hollandicum’Purple superstar '
altitude / spread:24 to 32 inches tall , 12 to 18 inch wide
century of purplish bloom are packed into perfect baseball - size globes — a Graeco-Roman ornamental onion . A great slash flower , it can last three week in a vase .
A. cernumNodding onion , lady ’s leek
Height / spread:12 to 18 column inch grandiloquent , 3 to 6 inches wide
A summer - blossom North American wild flower , aboriginal to dry open woods and meadows . flush stubble have a typical crook at the remnant , so the prime hang downwards .
A. caeruleum
Height / spread:12 to 24 inches tall , 6 to 12 inches wide
This uniquely gamey allium flower in June and July with half - one dollar bill - size flush head . Naturalizes in the garden in a welcome , not skinny , agency .
DESIGNING WITH ALLIUMS
Allium’Globemaster ' . Photo by : Rolf E. Staerk / Shutterstock
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do alliums come back every year?
Yes , most Allium are perennial and will pass class after year if planted in well - drained soil . Many varieties naturalize and slowly multiply over meter , especially in ideal conditions .
Why didn’t my alliums bloom?
There are several reasons why alliums may not blossom , including :
Can I grow alliums in containers?
Yes , many pocket-size genus Allium multifariousness likeAllium molyor ‘ Millenium ’ can flourish in containers . employ a well - draining potting mix and a container with right drainage hole . Make trusted to protect the pot from freeze in very cold climate , or stash away it in a sheltered spot over wintertime . Check out this unforesightful video onplanting genus Allium bulbs in pots .
What’s the difference between spring-blooming and summer-blooming alliums?
Spring - blooming alliums ( likeAllium giganteumand ‘ Purple Sensation ’ ) produce from genuine bulbs and are planted in the dip , just like tulips and daffodils . These bulbs go dormant over summertime and re - emerge the following spring .
In contrast , many summertime - blooming genus Allium — such asAllium‘Millenium ’ andA. nutans — are really rhizomatous or ball - forming perennial rather than classic bulb . These are often sold as container - develop plant and can be planted in spring or downslope . Their foliage tends to remain attractive longer into the season , and they do n’t want the same dormancy period as true bulbs . See this short video for more : summertime vs. Spring Alliums .
