Alliums are distinctive Spring/Summer bulbs that make a very attractive addition to borders. They are very easy to grow and are showy plants which look fantastic in beds or rock gardens. In recent years these bulbs have become very fashionable in the British garden and top of the list for garden designers. These flowering beauties are one of the most under-utilized and unknown bulb flowers. Like most bulbs, alliums are planted in the autumn. However, unlike tulips or daisies, these garden flowers won’t bloom until early summer, as opposed to in the spring and you may be able to buy them in bloom from a garden centre and then plant them in your garden. Alliums can range in size from petite varieties to larger, showy varieties like Allium giganteum and Globemaster.
Some Tips
- Plant alliums in areas with part to full sunshine and good drainage.
- Let the foliage die down on its own before trimming off any dead areas.
- These purple flowers will naturalize easily and come back the next year bigger and even more beautiful.
- Try not to deadhead alliums, as the flower head will stand erect long after the colour is gone, adding another layer of dimension to gardens.
- These bulb flowers are also great in a vase, lasting up to two weeks, forming seed pods before they begin to fade.
Add a little excitement to your garden by spray painting allium seed heads and using them as garden ornaments, placing them strategically around other flowers. The allium plant is just one of many garden ideas that can give your garden a unique edge in your neighbourhood!
