Allium alfatunense

("Ornamental garlic")

Allium alfatunense

This is one of the loveliest ornamental onions, its inflorescence consisting of dozens of small star-shaped flowers united to form a globe-shaped cluster. To achieve a successful visual effect, 10 to 15 bulbs should be planted close together. The narrow blue-green leaves also have a certain ornamental value. Usually naturalizes well in moderate climate zones. Excellent for cutflowers as well.

What You Need To Know Before You Plant:

When Will This Flower Bloom?

Late Spring - Early Summer

When Should I Buy and Plant These Bulbs?

Fall

What Kind of Light Does This Bulb Prefer?

Full sun to half-shade partial shade

What Color Will the Flower Be?

Lilac-purple

How Far Apart Should I Plant These Bulbs?

4 in / 10 cm

How Deep Should I Dig?

7 in / 18 cm

How Tall Will It Grow?

36-40 in / 90-100 cm

Recommended Number of Bulbs Per Square Foot?

5

Is It Deer/Critter Resistant?

Yes

How Can I Best Use It in My Landscaping?

In flower beds, perennial beds and as fresh cut- and dried flowers.

What Should I Do After Flowering?

It is normal that the foliage already starts to turn yellow/brown before the flowers have finished blooming. Let them die back naturally (to build up energy reserves within the bulb) and only remove the dead foliage once it has completely separated from the bulbs. You can either deadhead the finished blooms or allow them to dry and let the seeds be blown to other parts of your garden. Eventually they too will produce new alliums. Even the dried flowers are still quite decorative for a while and after 4-6 weeks you can easily pull them loose (don't force it) and bring them indoors as a dried bouquet. Leave the bulbs in the ground and fertilize them with bonemeal, bulb booster or 10-10-20 early every Spring when the foliage begins to emerge again. Divide and replant them early Fall after they become overcrowded (and flowering diminishes) after 8-10 years.

Other Popular Varieties

(Besides the species itself); 'Lucy Ball' (deep purple) and 'Purple Sensation' (deep purple).

About the Family

Allium Family

Many hundreds of Allium species exist, but only a modest few have made a name for themselves as garden plants. The genus, Allium also includes important plants used for human consumption such as onions, leeks, shallots and the familiar cooking herb, chives.

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