Allium Bulbs

Ornamental allium bulbs including dwarf species are a useful flowering garden plant and are a part of the 'onion family'.

Cultivars such as Allium 'Globemaster' with its large deep violet flowers along with other cultivars produce some very showy flowers and include, Allium sphaerocephalon, gladiator, allium purple sensation, allium christophii and others are available for sale online. Allium 'Mount Everest' (picture right) has white flowers.

Growing a range of decorative allium bulbs is not difficult as generally speaking they are a hardy bulb when grown in a well drained soil in a sunny position. Bulbs and seeds are available for sale online from mail order nurseries.

Planting Allium Bulbs

As for many bulbs the depth of planting depends on the size of the bulbs, and with alliums bulb size differs greatly, so as a rule, four times as deep as the bulb is high, with a minimum of 4 inches (7cm). As for when to plant, late winter is fine.

Can you grow Alliums in pots and containers ? Yes, especially the smaller growing species, larger (taller) growing varieties are a little more difficult as unless the pot is heavy enough then they may topple over when in full flower, and forget growing them in those plastic pots from the nursery, those are designed to grow plants to sell, not as a permanent planting solution.

Allium Varieties

• Allium caeruleum is one of the best known of the blue flowering ornamental species.
• Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' is purple flowering hybrid and holds its ball shaped flowers on tall stems.
• The tallest species is Allium giganteum which will reach 4ft.
• Allium moly luteum (Allium moly) is a pretty smaller growing yellow species as is moly 'Jeannine', both have long lasting flowers.
• Allium sphaerocephalum is often referred to as the 'Drumstick' allium tight flower-heads on 2ft stems.
  

You may also be interested in

• Drought tolerant plants
• Salvia
• Cottage garden plants

Ornamental Allium Bulbs are available for sale Online and by Mail Order from the following participating Nurseries

MINIATURE BULBS & WILDFLOWER BULBS 9 Greengate Drive, Knaresborough, HG5 9EN - Phone/Fax: 01423 542819¬?
A wide range of wildflower daffodils and tulipa, also alliums¬? Mail order spring bulb specialists.
www.miniaturebulbs.co.uk