The Illusion of Alliums

You do not have to be a child to enjoy the whimsical, dramatic structure alliums bring to a garden. Alliums in full bloom give the illusion of lollipops or fireworks growing straight up from the ground. There are hundreds of varieties of alliums, including the edible varieties like onions and garlic. Ornamental alliums, or ornamental onions, are specifically grown for their beautiful flower heads that stand straight on very sturdy stems.

Allium bulbs must be planted in full sun in the fall. When summer arrives, their flower heads burst open in clusters of small flowers called florets that form round pom-poms, stars, cups, eggs or pendulums. Their sizes range from a petite 8 inches to a giant 3 feet tall. Alliums do not repeat bloom; they will have one bloom per bulb. Their stems are perfect for fresh cut flowers or dried flower arrangements. To dry them leave them on the plant. The dried seed heads look attractive and continue to give your garden structure. Once completely dried you can cut them and bring them indoors. Alliums are extremely low maintenance and deer-resistant. Here are just a few great varieties you can plant in the fall to enjoy this coming year.

Globe Master (Allium albopilosum/elatum): Bloom Time: Late spring; Size: 32-34”; Shape: Pom-pom; This allium is favored for its size. The flower head can reach up to 10” across and the flowering period lasts for several weeks to a month. New florets constantly appear and cover the old ones. One flower head will produce as many as 1,100 florets!

Fireworks Mix (Allium cerunuum): Bloom Time: Mid-summer; Size: 12-18”; Shape: Star form; The yellow, white and pink blooms burst open and fall like a Fourth of July sparkler.

Miniature Mix (Allium ostrowskianum (pink), Allium moly (yellow), Allium neapolitanum (white)): Bloom Time: Late Spring; Size: 8-12”; Shape: Cup form; These Alliums have a small cluster of tiny star shaped yellow, pink and white blossoms.

Allium schubertii (Allium shubertii): Bloom Time: Late Spring; Size: 20”; Shape: Star form; Huge 12 -15” in diameter on rather short but sturdy stems look like something out of a child’s dream. The violet flower heads have a spidery-alien look to them.

Drumsticks (Allium spaerocephalon): Bloom Time: Late spring-summer; Size: 24”; Shape: Egg form; In summer the drumstick shaped flower head starts off green, then opens to pink and then to a reddish-purple clover color.