Alliums are a member of the onion family and make a great addition
to the spring and summer garden. There are many different varieties of
Allium in a variety of shapes, colors and heights.
As the name implies Allium Globemaster has a huge purple flower
which can reach up to 15 inches in diameter. This giant can be placed amount the
taller perennials like grasses and Echinacea.
Allium Albopilosum like many of the Allium can be dried for
interest indoors during the winter. This is one of my favorites with it’s
amethyst-violet color and loose umbel. The flowers are very tight together
in each bloom.
What do you get when you cross two Allium together? You get a
variety that is the result of Allium aflatunense and Allium macleanii.
This is a wonderful cut flower and a big shorter than some of the tallest of the
Allium.
For smaller spaces and those of you who like white, how about
trying Allium karataviense. In general, karataviense typicall has has
white to light purple pink flowers. However, this cultivar 'Ivory Queen'
as its name indicates, is ivory white.
Reminding me of fireworks, Allium
Schubertii is a one of the more unique
ornamental onions: a small rounded flowerhead develops into a second, much
larger and more transparent flowerhead. This is a real beauty which
dries well and can last a very long time in a vase in the
house.
The best way to add to your Allium garden is to order several
different varieties from various bulb catalogs in the fall. If you had
just 10 new ones each year you will have a wonderful enviable Allium garden in
just a few years.