Fourteen Breathtaking Alliums For Your Garden

By: Sandra Nelson; Images Sandy DeFoe

September 24, 2021

Boxes of fall bulbs ready for planting have begun to appear in the big box stores. As I’ve looked around here, I’ve seen a satisfying variety of daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus available. Even some of the smaller, less familiar bulbs like Galanthus (Snowdrops) are well represented. Sticking just to these varieties, you could have the beginnings of a beautiful spring garden, but you’d most likely miss out on one of the most dramatic, and under-appreciated stars of the spring and summer garden, the allium.

alliums

Alliums are not only beautiful with their clustered blooms topping upright, leafless stems, they are remarkably hardy (many to -30 degrees F) almost maintenance free perennials. They are favorites of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, but garden critters like deer, rabbits, voles and squirrels avoid them like the plague. In fact, many savvy gardeners strategically place allium bulbs throughout their borders to help keep more appetizing plants safe. dried allium Most alliums are excellent as fresh cut flowers but are also one of the easiest flowers to dry. Left standing in the garden, they add a unique, architectural dimension to the winter landscape.

With a wide range of bloom times, alliums can be the bridge between the delicate spring garden and the riotous summer garden. They are versatile plants pairing well with familiar perennials like hostas, astilbe and cranesbill geraniums. alliums with hosta Large drifts of alliums intermingled with ornamental grasses in a prairie planting create a breathtaking display. Planted in the midst of cottage gardens, groupings of alliums give a feeling of strength and stability to an otherwise fluid design.

Like other spring flowering bulbs, alliums must be planted in the fall. The cooler fall temperatures and increased rainfall give the bulbs plenty of time to form root systems, while the colder winter months that follow allow flower buds to begin forming.

Alliums aren’t fussy about soil type, but they do insist on having good drainage. Sitting in consistently wet ground will rot bulbs. allium in sunlight Alliums perform best in 6 or more hours of sun each day, but also appreciate some shade during the hottest parts of the day.

Plant allium bulbs three to four times deeper than the height of the bulb with the pointy side up. After planting, water well to make sure that the soil settles firmly around the bulb, eliminating air pockets. In extremely cold climates, mulch the newly planted bulbs with shredded leaves or compost. Then, sit back and wait for the spring show to begin.

allium For years, the most commonly seen allium bulb was the Globemaster with its 3 to 4 foot green stems and dark purple blooms. While it remains a popular choice for home gardeners, today there are literally hundreds of other varieties, including some native species, available in many garden centers and online. To make your garden planning easier, we’ve selected 14 outstanding allium varieties.