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| Allium | Common name; Flowering Garlic |
flower heads
Seed Head
A plant family of around four hundred species that includes the familiar onion, garlic, and chives.
Alliums prefer a sunny, sheltered spot, in a light well-drained soil, although some varieties will tolerate dappled shade.
Most Alliums flower from late spring to late summer and are perfect for flower arrangements.
Depending upon variety plants can grow to a height of 300mm-1200mm (12"-48") high, with lilac coloured star like flowers appearing in June.
They prefer moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
For stability; bury them to three or four times their own depth or a minimum of 75mm(3") deep whichever the greater.
Alliums look at their best if the bulbs are planted out in groups of three or more set at 200mm (8") apart.
The smaller varieties can be closely planted for impact.
Leave undisturbed until the clumps are overcrowded, then lift, split, and replant immediately.
The leaves should be allowed to die back and not removed until completely brown.
They will grow in heavier soils, providing a layer of horticultural grit is added to the planting holes.
It is also possible to grow alliums in outdoor containers.
As mentioned above Alliums are closely related to culinary onions, and may occasionally suffer from related problems, such as white rot and onion fly. Therefore it is advisable not to plant them in a spot where onions have been grown in previous years.
Culture;
Week 2; Sow commercially purchased seed in trays of seed compost and germinate at a minimum temperature of 16°C(60°F)
Germination should take 2-3 weeks.
Week 7;Prick out seedlings sown the previous year into 70mm (3") pots and place in a cold frame until ready for planting out.
Week 10; Prick out seedlings if large enough to handle into 70mm (3") pots and place in a cold frame until ready for planting out the following year.
n.b. it can take two or three year to get to flowering stage.
Week 27; Collect seed after ripening and sow these in pots in a cool greenhouse or coldframe to produce flowering bulbs.
Sow the seeds thinly and grow on for a year, then prick them out into pots/boxes or nursery bed and grow on for at least one more year.
Week 40-42; Plant out; covering the bulbs to three or four times their own depth, min 75mm(3"), and leave untouched for several years.
Plants may need staking, especially on exposed sites.
Week 40; from now and until March divide large clumps and replant immediately.
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