When many people hear of Allium flowers they think of the large purple globe-shaped flowers. The more popular Alliums are Gladiator, Globemaster, and Purple Sensation. Alliums are also known as ornamental onions. Alliums are perennials and typically bloom in the late spring or early summer. They are a great complement to other early blooming perennials.
Alliums are easy to grow and perform best in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. After planting them they need to be watered well. These plants will tolerate poor soil and once they are established they will naturalize easily. The flowers look great in your garden but they also look amazing as a cut or dried flowers. Allium flowers come in several other colors and we feel they are underutilized in the garden.
Here are a few different varieties you might want to try:
Blue
Azureum Allium – One of our favorites, Azureum Allium has bright cornflower blue flowers that bloom in early summer. The flower has pretty 1 – 2-inch wide orbs. Its star-shaped florets have a darker blue mid-vein. The plant grows 14 – 16 inches tall. This Allium looks wonderful with bright yellow flowers and roses. These flowers bloom in early summer. Hardiness zones 2 – 10.
Burgundy
Allium Sphaerocephalon – This easy to grow Allium has egg-shaped, flowering heads with a burgundy top and white bottom that bloom in the early summer. It is often called the Drumstick Allium. It is the latest blooming of the Alliums. It looks great when planted in a perennial border. Hardiness zones 3 – 8.
Red Mohican Allium – Red Mohican is a one of a kind Allium that has burgundy flowers with white tips. This interesting shaped flower is also fragrant. It grows 36 – 40 inches tall and blooms in late spring to early summer. In a bouquet or as a dry flower it will look great. It attracts butterflies and bees. Hardiness zones 4 – 9.
Allium Atropurpureum - With this Allium you will find lots of fragrant dark burgundy florets. The 2-inch flower heads are on top of 20 – 30-inch sturdy stems. This is a late spring bloom. This flower has a long vase life as a cut flower. Hardiness zones 4 – 9.
Pink
Pink Jewel Allium - Pink Jewel Allium has baseball sized flower clusters with warm pink petals and green eyes. The flowers are 3 to 4-inch globes and bloom in May – June for 3 weeks. They attract bees, butterflies, and other helpful pollinators and are rabbit, deer and rodent resistant. Pink Jewel Allium will grow 26 to 34 inches. Hardiness zones 3-8.
Pink Giganteum Allium - Pink Giganteum Allium is the tallest of the flowering allium with 4-6-inch diameter ball-shaped flowers. This Giant Allium flower will be an eye-catching addition to your spring garden. These huge flowers have beautiful pink blooms and they look great when planted with shorter plants. These bulbs will bloom in the late spring and last for 3 weeks. Hardiness zones 3-8.
Allium Oreophilum – This Allium has pretty magenta flowers that form a loose flower head. The unfamiliar color for Alliums can be grown in containers or in-ground. This variety is shorter than most Allium and looks wonderful in a perennial garden or as a border. The flowers bloom in late spring and early summer and work nicely with tulips, peonies, and poppies. The plant grows 12 – 18-inches tall. Hardiness zones 4 – 10.
Nevskianum Allium – This rare pink Allium has flowers that measure up to 5 to 6-inches across. The plant resembles a dandelion and is low growing with broad, thick leaves covered with a bluish-grey waxy coating. The plant grows 4 – 5-inches tall. Nevskianum Allium is excellent for borders and would look wonderful in a rock garden. The flowers bloom in May through June. It looks great in Hardiness zones 4 – 8.
White
Mount Everest Allium – this tall and charming pure white flower has 4-inch blooms. They look great planted with traditional Gladiator or Purple Sensation Allium flowers. Mount Everest will grow 24 – 36 inches tall and are fragrant. The snow-white blooms look great in an arrangement. This variety will flower in late spring to early summer. Hardiness zones 4 – 9.
Graceful Allium - Graceful Allium has globe-shaped blooms with masses of small white flowers and lavender stamens. Alliums have great ornamental value in the landscape and make amazing dried or cut flowers. These perennials can be planted in a container and are perfect for fresh or dried bouquets. They are easy to grow and deer and rabbit resistant. Graceful Allium will bloom in late spring to early summer. Hardiness zones 4-10.
Cowanii Allium - Cowanii Allium has clusters of pure white flowers that bloom in late spring or early summer. These beautiful Alliums are also excellent for cut flowers. The flowers are held on wiry stems, perfect for pollinators. As with other Allium varieties, these plants are undemanding and tolerate poor soil. This Allium is also known as Allium 'Neapolitanum'. Hardiness zones 3 – 9.
Yellow
Moly Allium – The blooms on this flower are bright yellow. Allium Moly is also known as Golden Garlic or Lily Leek. The flowers look like bright stars that can brighten up any garden. The flowers grow in 2 – 3-inch clusters on top of stems that grow 10 – 15 inches. The plant starts to bloom in May and last through the late summer. Hardiness zones 3 – 9.
Let us know your experience growing Alliums and which variety you grow!
