All About Alliums

Allium – also known as “Ornamental Flowering Onion” have become hugely popular over the last few years . They have also become more readily available. They are easy to grow , deer resistant, and hardy to zone 4. They grow in mostly any soil and make excellent cut flowers. They come in a large selection of colours, heights, bloom time and flower shape – oval, spherical and globular.

FAVOURITES

Favourite varieties include Purple Sensation – baseball sized heads, cheap & cheerful , blooming early June. Globemaster & Gladiator , tall with huge flower heads, blooming mid June, and Drumsticks ( Allium Sphaerocephalon), blooming early June and perfect for the more casual garden.

PLANTING ALLIUM

Plant smaller varieties, like Purple Sensation, Caeruleum & Miami in large groups or drifts for the biggest impact. Larger varieties can be planted in groupings of 3, 5 or 7. Plant 2-3 times the diameter of the bulb in a nice sunny location.

AFTER CARE

Allium often come back year after year ( no guarantees !). After blooming, wait until the leaves fade to yellow, and then cut them back.