Ornamental Allium Bulbs

Ornamental Allium Bulbs are a great addition to the garden. Easy to grow in a well drained sunny position, drought tolerant and with a range of flower forms and sizes.

Planting ornamental alliums

Ornamental alliums are easy to plant, use the rule of thumb that they should be around 3 times as deep as the bulb is tall. Bigger bulbs planted deeper than smaller ones. Always with alliums, plant them in a dry area, good drainage and sunny.

Remember that alliums are very good at self seeding, so either dead head them after flowering, or plant in an area where you are happy to let them go. As for watering, really not much need in our climate. Fertiliser, usually whatever the rest of the garden gets, alliums do not seem to be to fussy.

Can you grow ornamental alliums in containers or pots, yes as long as you provide good drainage.

Some of the best ornamental alliums include : Allium cernuum or (nodding allium), Allium hollandicum 'purple sensation', Allium cyaneum, Allium insubricum, Allium karataviense, Allium moly (golden flowering garlic) and Allium thunbergii.

Ornamental allium varieties

• Allium cernuum. or (nodding allium)
  With its nodding head of pink bells this is a elegant species of allium. Flowers may also be white to lavender. Allium cernuum is suitable for the rock garden and as it is a relatively low growing species, 30 - 40 cm, it can be used for underplanting.
  
  
• Allium hollandicum 'purple sensation'
  A taller growing species to 1m Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' is hybrid with a large flower head of bright purple flowers Flowering Onion.
  
  
• Allium cyaneum
  A smaller growing blue flowering species reaching only 25cm. Allium cyaneum is originally from China and is late flowering.
  
  
• Allium insubricum
  Closely realted to and sometimes confused with A. narcissiflorum this allium will grow to 30cm and with its large pink flower heads is a most attractive allium. Allium insubricum is rare in cultivation.
  
  
• Allium karataviense
  Distinguished by its broad green - grey basal leaves this allium is from central asia and has flowers of a pink - purple color. A number of forms including the white flowering Allium karataviense 'Ivory Queen'. The foliage of this allium makes it stand out from others.
  
  
• Allium moly (golden flowering garlic)
  With most alliums being purple flowering the golden yellow flowers of Allium Moly make it a stand out. Nice foliage on this 30cm tall mid summer flowering golden allium
  
  
• Allium thunbergii
  This is one of the last alliums to flower. Low growing to 15cm and with nice pink flowers Allium thunbergii is originally from Japan, Korea and China. Glossy foliage is an added attraction. A white form is also available