The allium bulbs have one of the greatest varieties in size, shape and color. Each gardener is different and sees beauty in a different way. With the allium, every gardener will find one that is exquisite to them. The allium has a height variance from four inches to three feet tall. Gardeners can plant an entire rock garden with allium and it will appear as if there are 20 different flowers, colors and heights.
An interesting fact about the allium is the bulb smells like onion when broken or bruised because they are in the onion family.
The What, When and How
The allium bulbs should be planted in the fall so they can experience the dormancy period of cold winter weather. They generally bloom through the spring months and into mid-summer and generally need a fair amount of sun. For the novice gardener, the allium is hardy and easily grown.
The allium is also called “the ornamental onion,” perhaps because the bloom is round, but then some of the blooms of some varieties are not round. The sizes and the shades vary but could be predominately all the shades of purple. Blue, white and yellow also grace the allium garden.
The Size and Shape
Because of the size of the plant itself, the allium bulbs will need to be planted three to four inches apart. That is for the shorter variety. If the gardener is planting the back row of a rock garden, the taller allium should be planted at least eight inches apart.
The shape of the allium flower is generally round, resembling the shape of the onion. However, other shapes of the flower include small star shapes and an oval cone shape, along with more of a feathery flower. All of the blooms are big and showy.
The Colors
The predominant color of the flowers of the allium bulbs is purple and lavender, as well as all the shades in between. The flowers are generally in the erect position and many of them have six petal-like tepals. The flowers appear to be different but from the science standpoint, they have a like basic structure which varies on the surface.
For the gardener who is in love with the allium, he can plant an entire garden or yard in them and still have a great deal of variety.
For more information on where you can buy Allium bulbs, visit Longfield-Gardens.com.
