I can hear you sigh. First, with delight, and then you remember purple alliums don’t often return for a repeat performance here. Not even an encore. I don’t know why. Perhaps, we water too much, or it’s too hot, or too cold. You know we have all those issues in Oklahoma.
Well, some of us have better luck with Allium sphaerocephalon, drumstick alliums.
In fact, I was told at an OHS meeting that one gardener found them as invasive as garlic chives. I haven’t found that to be true here. I’m just grateful if they return. Even in close proximity, gardens and gardeners are very different. What works for one doesn’t always for another.
And, that’s okay.
In meantime, this is why I plant alliums of all sorts and stripes–except for the white ones. I think they just look like a giant onion gone to seed, and I can have that in my veggie garden whether it’s intended or not. Oh, but the purple ones, all bright and shiny, perfect foils for spring green.
I will always have purple in my garden. Won’t you?
Alliums grow too well here, I hesitate to leave the seedheads. That said, I still wouldn’t want to be without them. Who doesn’t like a purple ball on a stick in the garden? There’s really nothing else like them.
I’m laughing at the comment: ‘he has more money than I’. Yeah, I think that when I hear about the tens of thousands of daffodils at Martha Stewart’s home. Wouldn’t that be nice, along with a host of gardeners to care for them for you. And I’m also laughing about not planting the white ones because you can get that from your veggie garden onions – I just planted several white ones this fall. Good thing I’ve never grown onions so the white flowers will still register as ornamental to my brain! Funny how different our reactions can be to the same flower.
Spied some in the clearance cart at the big box store. 8 for 2.50 (in the pink bags-komen) and 12 fro 2.50. will get species name, not much of a hand with these. Will get back with you for your opinion.
I used to grow the larger ones but their giant strappy foliage drove me crazy. I just added 2 doz drumstick alliums since their foliage is easier to work into my gardens and doesn’t suffocate the surrounding plants. They are cool looking, though. It’s hard to resist a purple plant!
Yes to Alliums! We have lots of them, big ones, little ones. Some of the big ones do take some time to recharge, but they are worth replanting. The garlic chives have world domination in mind here, but the drumsticks will barely grow. Go figure!
I really really want some. Must think about where those could go and make it happen some year soon.
Lovely photos of the alliums–the purple is the “perfect foil for spring green.” Most of the alliums in my area require a bit more moisture than I’m willing to give, but the Society Garlic is a good plant here. I think garlic chives do well, but I haven’t grown them.
I love them and planted 100 Purple Sensation this fall and the same number of the drumstick allium. The bees were all over both last spring and that’s another good reason to plant them. I so agree about the white ones; they look like nothing! gail
Oh, yes to the alliums and purple please.
I absolutely love alliums but I refuse to plant them because for me they are too expensive for one big bang. They never return here. I shouldn’t say they all don’t return because the drumstick alliums so return and grow like weeds and then they don’t bloom. It is like having wild onions in my flower beds. UGH… I do like to look at those pasionate purple blooms. I love all sorts of purple in my garden.
nice post, We have what looks like the same red dirt here in Georgia
Geri, we definitely do. Red sand and clay. I’m lucky to have mostly sand.
I love purple in my flowerbeds. ;^)
I enjoy dreaming of those big, glorious gardens like P. Allen Smith’s.
;^)
Thanks Cynthia. Yes, Allen’s gardens are something to behold. He works in them too, but he also has a staff. I could use a staff sometimes.
Absolutely love purple…my gardens are called Purple Door Gardens…so you know I love allium and have no problem growing them…never found them to be invasive here…I even grow the white ones in my white garden…fun to see them pop up!! I even love them in decline….
Hey Donna, what a lovely name for your gardens. I’ve grown the white ones, but they just aren’t my thing. It is fun to see them pop though isn’t it?
I loves me some alliums. I have probably about a dozen or more in different sizes (all purple that come up each year, after the tulips have gone. After they’ve dried, we spray paint them different colors and stick ’em in the Harry Potter Garden, where they fit right in.
Jim, I bet in your garden those alliums are a real treat. I remember the Harry Potter garden from my visit, and yes, the perfect place for spray-painted fun.
Garlic chives aren’t invasive here, just goes to show that climate makes a big difference. I haven’t planted too many alliums myself. I’ll have to change that, as I agree the green and purple go well together.
I know, it’s odd isn’t it? I wish I’d never planted the horrible things here, but live and learn. Nice to see your posts again.