Allium is a large plant family that includes onions, garlic, shallots, chives and garlic chives but also includes ornamental varieties that grace gardens with their sphere-shaped flowers on narrow stems. All parts of the Allium family smell like onions which keep deer, squirrels and rabbits at bay. Many Alliums can be planted as a bulb in autumn (garlic, Globemaster, Lily Leek) but some are offered in containers, grown by seed, as perennials (Millenium, chives).
Care
The varieties that are planted as bulbs in autumn (garlic, Globemaster, Lily Leek) typically bloom in late spring. For these types, allow the flower stalk to die back naturally before removing it. Perennial types of Allium (Millenium, chives) bloom all summer or in late summer. The Allium family requires little care.
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Use Allium ‘Globemaster’ in beds and amongst late-rising perennials. Use ‘Milennium’ along walks and on the edges of beds that need help remaining critter-proof. Try Lily Leek in beds where upcoming perennials will hide the fading foliage.
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Ornamental Onion Allium Globemaster
Zone: Zone 5, zone 6, zone 7, zone 8
Type: Bulb, perennial
Sun: Full sun
Height: Up to 30 inches
Width: Up to 20 inches
Bloom: Purple flowers in late spring/early summer
Uses: Butterfly gardens, accents, cottage gardens, home landscaping
Special features: Long-lasting and eye-popping, Allium Globemaster is a rather large bulb that is planted in autumn. In the spring, long strappy foliage appears long before the tall, sturdy stalk and disco ball of bright purple do. Let the stalk persist after blooming until it falls off naturally.
Ornamental Onion Allium ‘Millenium’
Zone: Zone 5, zone 6, zone 7, zone 8
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Height: Up to 18”
Width: Up to 18”
Bloom: Lavender blooms in late summer
Uses: Bird & butterfly garden, borders, beds, cottage garden, cutting garden, herb gardens Special Features: Prefers average, well-drained soils, low- maintenance, rabbit and deer repellent
Millenium Ornamental Onion is perfect for beds and borders that tend to get snacked on by deer or rabbits. Low-maintenance and tolerant to most situations, they will spread by seed if not deadheaded.
Lily Leek Allium moly
Zones: Zone 3, zone 4, zone 5, zone 6, zone 7, zone 8, zone 9
Type: Bulb, perennial
Sun: Full sun
Height: Up to 12 inches
Width: Up to 5 inches
Bloom: Yellow flowers in late spring
Uses: Beds, borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens
Special Features: Prefers rich, well-drained soil, tolerates sandy, gravelly soil
Lily Leek is an easy perennial bulb that is planted in autumn, it blooms the following spring. After its long-lasting blooms fade, let them die back on their own.
