AWESOME BLOOMS FROM THE ONION FAMILY

If someone suggested growing onions in a flowerbed you might think they were mad since who wants an onion smell to overpower the fragrance of the flowers? But alliums comprise far more than the edible variety and those grown for decoration have their own sweet scent as well as spectacular flowers. And they are easy to grow as Kathy Woodard explains in her article which I found on The Garden Glove website.

Alliums are one of the best and easiest bulbs to grow in the gardening world, but often overlooked. Gorgeous, show stopping blooms, easy growing requirements, and amazing architectural shape make these perfect for any gardener, beginner or seasoned veteran. The large round or oval flowers are borne on single stalks that tower over the garden from 1-4 feet, usually in mid spring to early summer, but there are varieties that bloom even in the fall. Flowers can be tiny little globes, or large 6 inch giants. One of the best traits of the allium over other spring and summer bulbs is that most animals will avoid eating them. Apparently, people aren?t the only ones who want to avoid onion breath! That?s right, alliums are simply ornamental, or flowering onions. Don?t let images of big smelly onions growing in your garden dissuade you, these?plants are nothing of the sort, with a gorgeous, sweet scent. Beautiful as cut flowers as well, they come in whites, blues, purples, pinks and even yellow. Your tulips and daffodils may still get top billing in the spring, but make sure you tuck some alliums into your flower beds as well. Here is how to grow those amazing alliums! Photo below by ?Dutch Flower Bulbs?.

Photo below by ?Fine Gardening?. Allium ?Jeannine?.

How To Grow Alliums

Buy allium bulbs from a good nursery or online resource. You want healthy bulbs with no cuts or soft spots. Research varieties to include several varieties of different bloom times to keep the show going!

Most varieties are hardy zones 3-9.

Like most bulbs, these look best planted in groups.

Plant the bulbs in the fall, before the ground freezes. Plant them to a depth of 3 times their diameter in a sunny or mostly sunny position. Generally, 6-8 inches.