It was n’t all that long ago that Allium , also known as ornamental onions , were a peculiarity in the landscape . However , they ’re really catching on with gardeners , who apprise their ravisher and distinguish their merits as an architectural demarcation to the mounding or spread contour of other ornamental plants . It ’s exciting to see these charming bulbs look in landscape everywhere .
cosmetic Allium cepa belong to a large botanical genus that includes chives , Allium ascalonicum , leeks , onion and garlic . But , unlike their edible first cousin , the ornamental variety are grown strictly for their showy spherical bloom heads . vagabond from 1 to 10 inches wide , the flower heads are formed from clusters of diminutive , star - influence flowers . The flower heads on some of the larger form may contain 100 or more case-by-case flower . depend on the option , the flowers range in color from silvery lavender to carmine purple as well as white , chickenhearted and blue .
The blossom heads on most ornamental Allium cepa varieties rise well above a clump of shoulder strap - similar leaves . The leaf of the early bloomers emerges very ahead of time in outpouring and generally dies back just as the plants come into salad days . Late - bloom alliums maintain their attractive green foliage much longer into the time of year . It ’s fresh to position the early bloomers in the landscape painting so that surrounding planting hide the deteriorate leaf .
In addition to provide beauty and architectural interest group to the ornamental garden , alliums pull in bees and butterfly . If that ’s not a secure enough reason to try Allium , here ’s more good tidings . Deer , hare , voles , squirrels , chipmunks and other critters head off them because of the faint oniony taste perception of the leaf and bulbs .
A SAMPLING OF ALLIUM SPECIES
The ornamental allium family consists of more than 300 metal money . The bulb change considerably in size , generally in dimension to the works ’s overall pinnacle . Some of the short allium selections grow to just 6 inches while some of the taller selections top out at around 4 foot . Most variety originate to 18 inch or more in height and are good choices for the centre or back of the border .
A sample distribution of the more popular genus Allium species and hybrids grown in American garden include :
this afterward - blooming variety sports 1- to 2 - in . wide egg - form , blood-red - royal prime around June . This survival of the fittest looks best institute in a big group . It can take a little more wet than its sibling , particularly in the summer .
purpose FOR Allium IN THE LANDSCAPE
HOW TO GROW ALLIUMS
decorative alliums are very easy to grow but they do have some specific requisite .
ALLIUM PROPAGATION
If they are well-chosen in a sunny , well drained spot , alliums may form colonies or ego - seed . Overcrowding may hinder blossom production . That ’s the bad intelligence . The unspoilt news is that you now have the opportunity to grow extra genus Allium for your garden or to partake in with friends . Allium may be diffuse in several style :
ALLIUM PESTS AND PLANT DISEASES
Ornamental onions are commonly trouble free , but they are capable to the same pests and diseases as their culinary cousin . They may suffer from Allium cepa white rot , downy mold , and Allium cepa fly . Pests include slugs , escargot and allium leaf mineworker .
author
Armitage ’s Garden Perennials(Armitage , Allan M. , 2d . ed . 2011 ) .
A - Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants , The Definitive Horticultural Reference for the 21stCentury,(The American Horticultural Society , rev . ed . 2004 ) .
Bulbs(Bryan , John E. , rev . ed . 2002 ) .
The Perennial Care Manual , ( Ondra , Nancy J. , 2009 ) .
