Content
Planting and caring for allium in open ground is a completely simple undertaking. This original ornamental plant is very unpretentious and requires almost no attention from the gardener. Bright, textured, fluffy-looking balls on graceful but strong stems usually bloom in late spring, although there are species that bloom later. In beds and flower beds generously flooded with sunlight, allium feels excellent, growing magnificently and acquiring a rich, juicy color.You can usually admire the lush colorful “pom-poms” of inflorescences, proudly towering above low bushes and herbs, for a long time – a month to a month and a half. And even after allium has faded, its dried balls can be an excellent element in winter bouquets of dried plants. If you take into account the basic simple needs of decorative onions, organizing planting and further care for them, then they will certainly show themselves in the garden in all their intricate and unusual beauty.
Description of decorative bow
In the broadest sense of the word, “allium” is the name of a genus of herbaceous plants belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. The term itself comes from the Latin name for garlic (allium), one of the species that makes up this genus.
In a narrower sense, allium is often referred to as decorative types of onions, usually perennial or biennial rhizomatous bulbous herbs. They are valued, first of all, for their beautiful spherical inflorescences, which look elegant in garden design.
The stem of the decorative onion is straight and hard, thickened, as if swollen, its height varies in a wide range from 15 cm to 1.5 m
Allium root is a large bulb shaped like a flattened ball. Usually it is covered with multiple shells (scales) of white, red-brown or purple color.
According to the length of the peduncle, decorative onions are divided into:
- low – less than 40 cm;
- medium height - from 40 to 80 cm;
- tall – all those above 80 cm.
Description of allium leaves and flowers
The leaves of this plant are fist-shaped, basal, elongated in shape - belt-shaped or linear. At the flowering stage or immediately after it ends, they usually dry out, die and look unpresentable. However, they should not be cut; they are necessary for the allium bulb to successfully accumulate a supply of nutrients for the winter. When using decorative onions in garden design, it is best to choose a place for planting them so that it is possible to hide the lower part of the bush behind the leaves or bright buds of other, low plants.
Allium flowers are small and numerous. They are united in umbrella-shaped, loose inflorescences on elongated pedicels. In most types of decorative onions they are small, but in some they can reach 30-40 cm in diameter. The color palette of the “balls” is varied: from soft green, blue, lilac, violet to crimson, pink and snow-white tones. Many species of allium have albino forms.
The flowering period of decorative onions usually lasts 40-50 days.
According to the time of its onset, alliums are divided into:
- early, blooming in mid-May and early June;
- medium flowering periods, blooming in mid-June and mid-August;
- late, blooming from mid-August until the onset of cold weather.
Decorative onions bear fruit in August-September. The seeds are small, angular or round in shape.
The appearance of some representatives of the Allium genus can be very unusual, for example, like that of the hybrid variety Spider.
Is it possible to eat decorative onions?
All types of ornamental onions are believed to be edible. You cannot be poisoned by them, however, when eating them you should adhere to the same restrictions as in the case of the usual onions and garlic. Allium dishes are contraindicated for those who suffer from gastritis, pancreatitis, intestinal colic, and stomach ulcers.
Types and varieties of decorative onions with photos
The variety of sizes, shapes and colors of alliums is impressive. Photos and names of the most popular types and varieties of decorative onions will be useful for selecting the most suitable ones for decorating a personal plot, creating a flower bed or flower garden.
Decorative blue bow
Blue onion, or royal blue (lat. Allium caeruleum), is one of the most beautiful types of decorative allium. In Western European countries it has long been common as a garden plant, while in Russia it is not yet so popular.
In nature, blue onions can be found in southeastern Europe, southern Siberia and Central Asia. Favorite places for this type of allium to grow are gravel-strewn mountain slopes and saline meadows in the foothills. It is extremely light-loving and does not tolerate waterlogging.
Blue onions usually grow by the end of April. The height of its stems is about 80-100 cm, the diameter of the spherical inflorescences is up to 7 cm. The small flowers of this allium resemble wide bells of a characteristic dark blue color. Each inflorescence contains from 200 to 250 pieces.
Flowering occurs in May-June and lasts approximately 20-25 days.
Blue onion is also called royal onion
Giant decorative onion
Giant allium (lat. Allium giganteum) boasts the largest inflorescences of all types of decorative onions. In the wild, it can be found in the subtropics of Iran and southern Central Asia, under the canopy of pistachio and walnut forests, as well as in the mountains.
The height of giant allium peduncles reaches 120-150 cm, and the diameter of dense inflorescences consisting of lilac-violet flowers is up to 30 cm. The leaves are green or bluish-green in color, the plates are long, belt-shaped, up to 10 cm wide.
Flowering occurs in mid-May or early June, lasting about 30 days.
Giant allium balls sometimes reach 30 cm in diameter
Allium roundhead
Decorative round-headed or ball-headed onion (lat. Allium sphaerocephalon) is widespread throughout Europe, northern Asia and West Africa. This type of allium can most often be found in the steppe and hilly areas.
Its arrows reach a height of 40-60 cm. The inflorescences resemble loose cones, uniting small flowers of pink, purple or burgundy-red shades. They have a pleasant aroma and attract bees.
Flowering lasts 2-3 weeks. It begins at the end of spring.
The fragrant flowers of allium roundhead are loved by pollinating insects.
Allium bulgarian
Bulgarian allium (lat. Allium bulgaricum) is one of the most unusual and valuable types of decorative onions. In the wild it grows in the west of the European continent.
The height of this allium bush can reach 80-110 cm. The original inflorescences, similar to shuttlecocks for playing badminton, combine 20-30 bell-shaped flowers.Their petals are painted burgundy or light pink with a delicate white border around the edge.
Bulgarian allium blooms in early summer.
Allium flowers resemble miniature bells
Allium neapolitanum
Neapolitan decorative onion (lat. Allium neapolitanum) is also called wild garlic, white garlic or Star of Bethlehem.
It can be found growing on the plains of North Africa and the European Mediterranean, as well as in Asia Minor. It is not tall - only 25-35 cm. The flowers are broadly bell-shaped, snow-white or pink, with yellow anthers. They are united in flat or slightly convex umbrella-shaped inflorescences of up to 25 pieces. in everyone.
You can admire the flowering of allium neapolitan in June.
The delicate beauty of the Neapolitan onion appears in June
Allium Schubert
Schubert's onion (lat. Allium Schubertii) is found naturally in Western Asia, on mountain slopes covered with rubble and sand. This is a low-growing type of allium up to 30 cm tall. It is distinguished by an unusually shaped inflorescence, reminiscent of a volley of fireworks. Each of the purple flowers is formed from 5-centimeter carpels and stamens up to 20 cm long. As a result, the volume of “asteroid” inflorescences often reaches 40 cm.
Flowering begins in June and lasts more than 15 days.
Unusual inflorescences of Schubert onion resemble a volley of fireworks
Allium Christophe
The habitats of the decorative onion of Christophe, or Christophe (lat. Allium Christophii), in the wild are the mountainous regions of Turkmenistan, northern Iran and the center of Turkey.
Each of the inflorescences of this allium unites about 100 star-shaped flowers.The diameter of the umbrella is up to 20 cm, the color is pink-violet, with a metallic sheen. The length of straight, ribbed stems is 50-70 cm.
Flowering occurs in June. This type of allium is ideal for cutting.
Allium Christophe stars look charming when cut
Unifolium
Miniature decorative single-leaf onion (lat. Allium unifolium) is also called American garlic. Its homeland is the coastal mountainous regions of North America.
The shoots of allium Unifolium stretch up only 20-25 cm. The inflorescences are not spherical, but rather look like loose umbrellas about 15 cm wide. A photo will help you imagine the unusual flowers of this allium: they are bright pink, less often white, up to 2 cm in size. They can be seen in early to mid-May.
The inflorescences of allium Unifolium are shaped not like a sphere, but like an umbrella
Praying
Moly onion, or Moly (lat. Allium moly), is also known as golden onion, golden garlic or lily onion. In nature, it can be found in Spain and the south of France.
Umbrellas of allium Mohl are usually flat or hemispherical, small (up to 7 cm in diameter). They consist of relatively large star-shaped flowers of a bright yellow color with a greenish tint. The latter appear in May-June and remain at their peak for 2-3 weeks.
Allium Molya will help you recognize bright yellow flowers
Decorative bow Globemaster
The heroic growth of the handsome Globemaster allows him to be considered one of the largest representatives of the Allium genus. This is a hybrid obtained by crossing two types of decorative onions - Maclean and Christoph.
Each ball of this allium, about 20 cm in diameter, consists of more than 1,500 flowers of crimson-violet color. They bloom at the beginning of summer and last until the beginning of autumn. The height of the peduncles reaches 90 cm. They are durable and tolerate unfavorable conditions extremely well - wind or heavy rain.
The tall hybrid Globemaster was obtained by crossing alliums McLean and Christophe
Decorative bow Purple Sensation
Aflatun onion hybrid (lat. Allium aflatunense) Purple Sensation, or Purple Sensation, lives up to its name. Its dark purple spherical inflorescences reach 12 cm in diameter. The height of the dense, slightly ribbed stems of this decorative allium is about 70 (there is information that it is 120-150) cm. The basal leaves have a linear shape and are colored in a light green color.
You can observe the flowering of Purple Sensation allium in May-June. During this period, the whole plant emits a light onion smell.
Purple Sensation is one of the most famous varieties of decorative onions
Ivory Queen
The decorative allium variety Ivory Queen (Ivory Queen, Ivory Queen) is considered to be Karatavian onion (lat. Allium karataviense), the name of which, in turn, comes from the Karatau mountain range in the southern part of Kazakhstan.
It is distinguished by a low peduncle, usually not exceeding 20 cm, and fluffy balls of 10-centimeter inflorescences, painted ivory. The leaves of this allium are wide and tongue-shaped.After flowering, which lasts about a month from the end of May, they remain green and fresh, so Ivory Queen onions can be safely planted in the foreground in a landscape composition. Another characteristic feature of this alium is its pleasant aroma.
Delicate inflorescences of Ivory Queen are painted in ivory color
Gladiator
The giant onion hybrid under the sonorous name Gladiator is known in ornamental gardening for its very large inflorescences, their diameter is 20-25 cm. Its flowers resemble small 6-petalled purple stars. Impressive flower stalks can grow up to 125-140 cm in height. Among the strengths of the decorative onion Gladiator is its high resistance to diseases and pests.
This hybrid allium is often used as an edible plant: its leaves have a pleasant taste and a strong aroma of garlic. Its flowering period occurs from May to July.
The handsome Gladiator is famous for its tall growth and large inflorescences
White Cloud
Allium White Cloud, which translated from English means “White Cloud,” is a hybrid of grape onion (Latin Allium ampeloprasum) of Dutch origin. It is also popularly known as summer leek or field garlic. As a rule, the arrows of this allium grow up to 0.8-1 m in height. Its spherical inflorescences are very dense, consisting of many snow-white flowers with a pink tint. The diameter of each umbrella is 6-8 cm.
The flowering time of the White Cloud ornamental onion is from May to June. It prefers sunny places, but also grows well in partial shade.
The lush heads of White Cloud allium really look like snow-white clouds
Decorative bow in landscape design
Blooming alliums are unusual, bright plants that can add an original, truly magical flavor to any open area.
The ideas for using decorative onions in landscape design are illustrated by the selection of photos below.
The most obvious and simple idea is to arrange an allary, that is, an onion garden that combines different types and varieties of this plant
All kinds of stones are excellent companions for allium.
High varieties of decorative onions perform well in mixborders, in the foreground of which grow low or medium-sized perennials with beautiful foliage
Low alliums look beautiful in the form of bright colored islands planted against the backdrop of green shrubs or ornamental grasses.
The combination of voluminous inflorescences of decorative onions with strict geometric shapes looks very picturesque.
If you plant allium densely, 50-70 bulbs per 1 square meter. m., then during its flowering you can admire the thick and colorful carpet
The combination of decorative onions with plants that bloom at the same time is considered traditional.
Even the simplest bouquet of cut allium inflorescences looks inimitable
Allium propagation methods
Growing ornamental onions in your own garden is not a difficult task. It can be propagated in different ways; it is enough to choose the one that in a particular case turns out to be the most acceptable and convenient.
Bulbs
Very often, gardeners practice propagation of ornamental onions by dividing their overgrown bulbs. The mother plant must be at least 3 years old. The “babies” that have grown on the bottom of the allium bulb should be separated very carefully, carefully, so as not to damage them.Each division should have a well-formed root system, as well as shoots.
The larger the size of the daughter bulb, the faster the plant will produce flowers, the larger the inflorescence balls will be, and the higher the stems will be. All varietal and species characteristics will be preserved in full.
In areas located in a temperate climate zone, it is recommended to dig up bulbs of many types of allium (Christoph, Schubert, etc.) after the end of the growing season, at the end of June. The green mass of the plant should be completely dry by this time. Until autumn, they should be stored in a dry place with access to fresh air, and then planted again in the ground. If the summer in the region is quite hot and dry, with a minimum of rain, then you can leave allium bulbs in one place for several years. However, it should be remembered that they will gradually grow, forming clusters of “babies”, which, in turn, will also sprout shoots, and when bushes of decorative onions bloom small and not very abundantly. In this regard, the optimal frequency of transplanting allium to a new location is once every 4-5 years.
Bulbs
Bulbs are the small aerial bulbs that form on the inflorescences of many (but not all) allium species. They are treated with a growth stimulator and then planted in the ground.
The characteristics of plants obtained in this way retain all the characteristics of the mother variety or species. The flowering of some of them (in particular, blue allium) begins the next year.
Bulbs are small bulbs formed directly on the inflorescences
Seeds
Seeds of decorative onions are usually collected from the very first, large and beautiful “balls”, after waiting until they have completely bloomed.
They are sown directly in open ground in autumn or spring.In the latter case, it will be necessary to carry out stratification by keeping the allium seed in a bag of moist soil on the vegetable shelf of the refrigerator for a couple of months.
It is best to allocate a separate, small and well-lit bed for sowing allium. Shallow grooves are dug in it, into which the seeds are laid out, sprinkled with earth, slightly moistened, and mineral fertilizers are applied in a 1/2 dose. In the first year of life, they will grow into small onions, about the size of a fingernail. They will need at least 3 years to gain strength.
This method, unfortunately, has a number of disadvantages:
- allium seeds have low germination;
- artificial stratification of seed material does not always go well; it may simply not germinate;
- The flowering of such allium occurs relatively late, as a rule, after 3-6 years, when the bulb has grown sufficiently;
- plants often do not retain varietal characteristics, the flowers turn out paler and smaller, the stems are lower, etc.
If environmental conditions are ideal for ornamental onions, they can self-sow successfully.
How to plant decorative onions
The simplest and most commonly used method of propagating allium involves planting bulbs in a garden bed, separated from the underground shoots of an adult plant. It’s worth taking a closer look at exactly how to plant ornamental onions using this method.
When to plant allium
The optimal time of year for planting allium in the ground directly depends on the characteristics of its type:
- early flowering onions, as a rule, are dug into the beds in early autumn, in September, giving the plant the opportunity to strengthen and take root before spring;
- For late-blooming alliums, the ideal planting time is usually spring (April-May).
Seeds should be collected only from those inflorescences that have completely bloomed.
Site selection and preparation
The area that is best suited for decorative onions is characterized by the following characteristics:
- well lit;
- with loose, neutral, nutritious, drained soil;
- groundwater does not lie close to the surface of the earth.
In the fall, when preparing the bed for planting decorative onions, you should dig it up and add humus or nitrogen fertilizers to the soil.
The mineral composition of the soil must contain a sufficient amount of potassium, otherwise allium will not develop well. If this element is missing, you can add wood ash to the soil.
To prevent the bulbs from rotting, it is recommended to embed a little river sand into the soil.
Landing algorithm
The procedure for planting allium in open ground is as follows:
- Holes are prepared on the site at a distance of 30-50 cm from each other. The larger the size of the plant of a given variety or species, the greater the distance between the bushes should be. The depth of one hole is equal to three sizes of the bulb that is planned to be planted in it.
- Moisten the holes with warm, settled water.
- Carefully place the bulbs in the pits with the pointed end up;
- Sprinkle them with earth, but do not compact them.
- Water the soil again.
- Mulch it with peat or humus.
How to grow ornamental onions
Allium is easy to care for, it is not capricious and does not require excessive care. However, decorative onions also have certain preferences.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Allium should be watered during the growing season and flowering period only if there is a clear lack of moisture in the soil. If the summer is too dry, this needs to be done more often. If the weather is rainy, watering the allium is only permissible when the soil is completely dry. In any case, it is better to dry out the soil a little at the roots than to cause it to become waterlogged and become stagnant. The latter is fraught with rotting of the bulbs and, as a result, the death of the entire plant.
Decorative onions are fed during certain periods of their development:
- In the spring, when the green mass is actively growing and buds and bulbs are forming, it is advisable to use nitrogen-containing compounds that stimulate these processes.
- In summer, liquid fertilizing with complex mineral fertilizer dissolved in water will be useful.
- In the fall, in anticipation of preparation for winter, it is best to incorporate dry potassium and phosphorus fertilizers into the soil.
The planting depth of an allium bulb corresponds to three of its sizes
Weeding and loosening
Gently loosening the soil at the roots is a mandatory measure for allium care. This helps ensure the soil is saturated with oxygen and avoids stagnation of water. It is recommended to loosen the soil after watering and heavy rains, combining this procedure with weeding out weeds from the garden beds.
Preparing for winter
Most types and varieties of decorative onions have good frost resistance. However, in the fall you should definitely mulch the allium bed with peat or spruce branches, especially if winters in the region are usually harsh.
It is worth knowing that the most heat-loving species of allium include Caratavian, Sicilian onions and hybrids such as Millenium, Globemaster. The most winter-hardy are considered to be Moli allium, roundhead, triangular, a hybrid of Aflatun onion Purple Sensation and Mount Everest allium.
Diseases and pests
Some of the most common diseases and pests of allium include:
- Peronosporosis, or downy mildew. This disease often occurs from an excess of moisture in the air or in the soil and manifests itself in the form of a grayish coating on the surface of allium leaves, which begin to deform and dry out quickly. The fungus quickly spreads throughout the planting. If measures are not taken in time, the plants will weaken and the bulbs will begin to rot. In the case of the initial stage of peronosporosis, establishing the correct watering regime can help, along with treating allium greens with an infusion of dandelion or nettle leaves. If you have to use chemicals, Ridomil-Gold and its analogues will be effective.
With peronosporosis, the leaves are covered with a grayish coating and they become deformed.
- Root mite. Its presence is determined by deformed allium leaves and the appearance of a white coating on them. As a result of the vital activity of the parasite, the plant rapidly loses moisture, turns yellow and becomes covered with spots, which after a short time become moldy. Bulbs and rhizomes of infected allium are removed from the soil, cleaned of soil and disinfected using natural or chemical means. Among the first are infusions of garlic cloves, cyclamen root, potassium permanganate or soap solution. Systemic insecticides are used as potent agents - Neoron, Actellik, Apollo.
Bulbs damaged by root mites must be disinfected
- Onion fly. This pest lays eggs on the surface of the bulbs, and the larvae, upon hatching, penetrate inside and eat them away. External manifestations of the activity of the onion fly may be increased fragility, dryness and rapid withering of the leaves, yellowing of their tips, and the unpleasant smell of the onion that is rotting. Among the folk methods of exterminating the parasite is the distribution of naphthalene powder, pine needles, tobacco dust, and wood ash over the garden bed. Effective insecticides used against onion flies include Imidacloprid, Cypermethrin, and Diazinon. Prevention includes disinfecting allium bulbs before planting, digging and mulching the soil.
Onion fly larvae eat away the inside of an allium bulb
Conclusion
Planting and caring for allium in the open ground is a set of simple measures that allow you to grow a bright and unusual ornamental plant on your site, which can often also be used as food. Lush balls of decorative onions will undoubtedly decorate any garden bed and become the “highlight” of the most intricate flower garden. Allium is unpretentious, blooms long and beautifully, and tolerates winters well. Acquaintance with the variety of its species and varieties, differing in size, appearance of bushes, color and shape of inflorescences, will delight aesthete gardeners who love interesting and beautiful combinations of tones, and many of them will probably be prompted to organize an allery on their site - a small onion garden.
