Allium 'Globemaster'

ORNAMENTAL ONION
Family: Liliaceae
Pronounced: AL-lee-um

 

Quick Jumps

Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes

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GROWING GUIDE

Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Bulbs.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones 2-24.
USDA zones: 6-10.
Heat zones: 8-1.
Mature size:
Height: 32 inches (80 cm).
Flowering period:
May-June.
Flowering attributes:
Clusters of deep violet flowers forming a globe shape, 6-8 inches across.
Leaf attributes:
Long, strap-shaped, green leaves.
Growth habit:
Clumping.
Light:
Full sun to partial shade.
Soil:
Fertile, humus rich, well-drained soil.
Propagation Methods:
Remove offsets in autumn and plant.
Pruning Methods:
No pruning.
Pests and Diseases:
Bulb rot can occur during our damp conditions of fall through spring. Onion fly and thrips may be a problem.

 

Rainy Side Notes

Many gardeners put colorful glass globes in the garden, even bowling balls, for additional color and interest. Why not grow globes of living violet purple flowers, which will float color around the garden? Alliums are great flowers for the transition period between spring and summer, when the spring flowers are waning and the summer flowers are not quite in full swing.

A cross between Allium christophii and A. macleanii resulted in this stunning cultivar, A. 'Globemaster'. The flowers can get up to 8 inches across in full violet purple color. Mine do not get quite that size but they are showstoppers nonetheless. The flowers will last three to four weeks in the garden. They are exceptional flowers for drying.

As you can see in the photos, Alliums are excellent plants for bee foraging. The photo above caught two bees sleeping when the temperature cooled down.

Plant the bulbs in groups for the greatest impact. Since the leaves start to fade about the time the flowers are in full bloom, park the plants behind others to hide the foliage. In spring or fall, plant the bulbs as deep as their width, and about six to eight inches apart. Here in the maritime Pacific Northwest the bulbs are perfectly hardy. However, if your garden suffers from wet clay-soilitis, the bulbs will grow well in raised beds above the muck.

More Alliums.

Photographed in author's garden.