Many gardeners aren't aware that some members of the onion family are pretty enough to grow in flower gardens. Take a look at common chives, also a member of this family, when they are in bloom, and you may be surprised at how lovely the flowers are.
Alliums are a member of the Lillaceae family, nicknamed "ornamental onion," and consequently not something you would expect to be beautiful. The one thing they have in common is an oniony smell, when the foliage is rubbed or stepped on, but this doesn't happen often, and some of the flowers are pleasantly fragrant.
Many Alliums make long-lasting cut flowers and some dry so well they are prized additions to dried flower arrangements.
We gardeners try to maintain a series of continuous bloom throughout the growing season, and Alliums help fill the gap between fading spring bulbs and the start of summer perennials. Depending on the variety, Alliums can be found in bloom from May to August. Allium christophii, "Star of Persia," produces some of the largest flowers in late spring with 8- to 12-inch violet spheres. In early summer, "Allium giganteum," the tallest of the Alliums, sends up long stalks topped with 5-inch balls, perfectly round, made up of tiny purple flowers which also do just fine in part-shade.
"Allium schubertii" is a novel bulb that in bloom resembles fireworks and is breathtaking in a flower arrangement. "Allium sphaerocephalon," or "Drumstick allium," blooms later than most in this family and attracts honeybees, bumblebees and many butterflies. The sight of the tall slender stems of Alliums with their large globe of flowers perched on top is truly amazing to see.
Why not try planting some allium bulbs this fall before the ground freezes? They like a rich, well-drained soil in a sunny to part-shady location and are excellent when planted in groups or in a border. Alliums won't grow in clay-like soils, so add some peat moss and compost to your garden soil before planting. As with all bulbs, you should add a bulb booster at planting. Since Alliums are drought resistant, you need to water them only when the weather is very dry; no water is needed during dormancy. A wet, boggy site will cause them to rot, so be sure to choose a location that drains well.
Alliums may propagate themselves by forming little bulbs on the sides of the main bulbs. This could result in no flower the second year because all the energy has gone into producing these bulblets. If you see foliage, but no flowers, be patient and your Allium will reward you the next year. In many species, a single bulb produces clusters of offset bulbs around it, which gradually form clumps.
After blooming, let the foliage die down naturally, just as you would daffodils and tulips. Many spring flowering species go dormant, so don't be alarmed if the foliage disappears during summer.
The foliage is needed to nourish the plant for next year's bloom, so it's important that it remain in place until it finally begins to brown. Plant a companion plant such as hosta, fern or other perennial next to your Alliums to cover any yellowing and dying foliage.
LET IT DRY
Let the flower dry on the plant if you are planning on using your Allium in a dried flower arrangement. There is no need to hang it upside down. When the stem of the dried Allium can easily be pulled out of the ground, your dried flower is ready to be picked. I use Alliums that have been sprayed white, silver or gold in my decorating during the Christmas holiday, as well as in creative flower arrangements. Spray paint some red, white and blue and the resemblance to an exploding firework makes a great Fourth of July centerpiece.
They will last for several years if you are careful when handling them. I store them in a dried piece of used oasis, in an unused basket in the basement, by simply keeping them separate and poking each stem in gently. Not only can you appreciate your blooming Alliums, but after drying them you can recycle them to enjoy all year round.
Visit the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden from early June and throughout the summer to enjoy the wonderful show these flowering onions put on. An extensive selection of Alliums is available from the McClure & Zimmerman catalog or online at www.mzbulb.com.
For updates on all Island garden club activities and meetings go to www.sigardenclubs.org.
Remember to water your window boxes frequently and add fertilizer.
Snapping off the dead blossoms of your rhododendrons not only keeps the plant tidy, but encourages branching and results in increased bloom the following year.
Lee Gugliada is past president of the Great Kills Garden Club and past director of First District Federated Garden Clubs of New York State.