It becomes clear when you learn that there are around 800 species of ornamental onion. Here you will get an overview of the most important species and recommended varieties!
Which varieties of ornamental garlic are recommended?
Popular ornamental allium varieties are the giant ornamental onion (Allium giganteum) such as 'Gladiator' and 'Globemaster', the dwarf ornamental onion (Allium oreophilum), the purple ornamental onion (Allium aflatunense) e.g. B. 'Purple Sensation', the garnet onion (Allium atropurpureum) and the blue onion (Allium caeruleum).
Giant and dwarf ornamental onions
The giant ornamental onion (Allium giganteum) stands out among the other species because of its impressive height. It can grow up to 2 m high! Its flowers also demonstrate greatness. They bloom in June. The most common varieties include:
- ‘Gladiator’
- ‘Globemaster’
- ‘Mount Everest’
The counterpart to the giant ornamental onion is the dwarf ornamental onion (Allium oreophilum). It only grows to between 20 and 30 cm tall. Its flowering period begins in May and the flowers are pink in color. This specimen is also perfect for pots.
Types of ornamental onions that impress with their flower colors
The best known is the purple allium (Allium aflatunense). True to its name, it has purple flowers that are present from May to June. It grows to an average height of 80 cm. Worth mentioning is the popular variety 'Purple Sensation' with its purple flowers.
The garnet garlic (Allium atropurpureum) also impresses with its rather reddish flower color. Its flowers come in a dark wine red from May to June. The average height is between 50 and 80 cm.
The blue allium (Allium caeruleum) blooms from March and shows gentian blue flowers. The snow leek (Allium triquetrum) with its white flowers or the golden leek (Allium moly) with its yellow-gold flowers are wonderful in the neighborhood. For the latter, the 'Jeannine' variety is particularly recommended. It's even edible.
Other interesting species and varieties
Are you looking for a very unusual ornamental onion for your perennial bed? How about these:
- Star ball garlic/sparkler flower (Allium christophii): 25 cm large inflorescences, silvery-purple blue, 60 cm high, slightly fragrant
- Spherical onion (Allium sphaerocephalon): egg-shaped 5 cm flowers
- Rose garlic (Allium ostrowskianum): bright carmine pink flowers
Tip
The blue leek is also one of the low-growing specimens. With its blue flowers, it fits comfortably next to the dwarf ornamental onion.
