Planting Alliums in Perennial Garden Borders
Add Ornamental Flowering Onions to Landscape Plans
Many gardeners separate vegetable plantings from their ornamental gardens, because most vegetables don't produce attractive flowers. On the other hand, alliums (the botanical name for the onion family), are the colorful exception--and one worth considering for your garden and yard. Their dynamic color, unique form and unusual shapes can add a splash of interest to the landscape. Blooming from late spring to early summer, alliums make a stunning statement in the garden. Despite being in the onion family, allium bulbs are not edible.
Varieties of Alliums
Alliums come in a variety of sizes and colors. You can purchase alliums bulbs from catalogs, online growers, nurseries and garden centers. Look for bulbs that are firm to the touch and show no signs of mold or dark spots.
'Globemaster' is one of the largest of the alliums; it produces a tight globe of violet-colored flowers that measures nearly 10 inches in diameter. These heavy flower heads are supported atop an unusually strong stem. When planted in masses, 'Globemaster' alliums can add instant height to plantings in a garden. This giant allium can really steal the show in June.
The reddish purple flower head of 'Mars' and the white flower head of 'Everest' grow up to 6 inches in diameter, supported by 3-foot-tall stems. Drumstick allium can make a bold statement in July when massed together in the garden. They look like purple eggs perched atop leafless flower stalks 2 to 3 feet above the ground. Drumstick allium naturalize well in the garden.
Alliums in Rock Gardens and Borders
For a border planting or a rock garden, try tucking in a 'Star of Persia' allium. The florets on this 10-inch-diameter globe look like amethyst stars. They begin to bloom in late May and still remain attractive into June, after the flowers have faded. The 'Leek Lily' allium produces small yellow flowers on 12-inch-tall stems in May and spread rapidly; if you want an allium to naturalize, select the 'Leek Lily' allium for your garden. Another allium, the Turkestan onion, grows to only 8 inches tall and makes a great planting for the front of a border.
Alliums are easy flowers to care for. They are hardy from Zones 4 to 8 and are planted in the fall along with spring-blooming bulbs. Alliums do best when planted in well-drained soil and in an area that receives direct sunlight.
Most alliums will bloom for nearly a month. After the flowers fade, the dried flower heads can be used in dried arrangements.
'Globemaster' Allium
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Turkestan Onion
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