Allium, also known as ornamental onion or flower onion, is a member of the allium family. There are very different forms of ornamental onion, which vary greatly in color and height. Read about when and how best to plant Allium in the garden.
When should you plant allium in the garden?
Allium or ornamental garlic should ideally be planted between September and November as the bulbs are hardy and should be in the ground before the first frost. In spring, planting is possible until March at the latest, as soon as the ground is frost-free.
When do you plant ornamental onions?
Allium grows from bulbs that must be placed in the ground in the fall. The months between September and November are best suited for this, when the earth is still warm from summer. As long as it doesn't freeze, you can still plant the allium bulbs in December.
Allium bulbs are hardy and can be combined well with other bulbous plants and perennials. When planting, make sure that the different species harmonize with each other in terms of location, soil and height.
Can you plant alliums in spring?
If necessary, you can plant the allium bulbs in the ground in spring. However, you should be quick: As soon as the ground is free of frost, but no later than March, put the onions in the ground.
By the way, ornamental garlic - such as the popular giant leek (Allium giganteum) - can also be made from (self-collected) seeds, which you first store in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for a few weeks, wrapped in a damp cloth, and then Place in potting soil mixed with sand.
Where and how do you plant ornamental onions?
Ornamental onion needs a sunny and warm location as well as sandy, well-drained soil. An exception is wild garlic (Allium ursinum), which feels more comfortable in shady, cool locations. Some other species, such as the golden leek (Allium moly), also prefer moist soil.
The bulbs should be planted about ten to 15 centimeters deep at a distance of 15 to 45 centimeters - the planting distance depends on the type and variety of ornamental onion. Add some nitrogen-rich fertilizer to the planting hole, such as horn shavings (€32.00 on Amazon) and compost or cattle dung pellets.
When is the flowering time of the ornamental onion?
Most ornamental onion species bloom between May and June, although the flowering time varies from species to species - there are even late-flowering alliums.
- Star ball garlic (Allium christophii): blooms from May to August, grows up to 40 centimeters high
- Giant leek (Allium giganteum): blooms in May, grows up to 180 centimeters high
- Gold leek (Allium moly): blooms from July to July, develops beautiful golden yellow flower umbels, grows up to 25 centimeters high
- Lilac leek (Allium pulchellum): blooms between July and August, grows up to 40 centimeters high
Tip
Are allium plants perennial?
Most Allium species available in this country are perennial, hardy and can therefore be left outside in winter. The situation is different with frost-sensitive varieties such as Allium schubertii, which have to be dug up in autumn and then overwintered frost-free. You should therefore only plant these ornamental onions in spring.
