Allium karataviense
("Ornamental garlic")
Extremely decorative due to its purple-grey flower color, its leaves also sport violet speckles. The slightly scented flowers stand side by side in a globe-shaped inflorescence. It is the best Allium to use as a potted plant.
What You Need To Know Before You Plant:
When Will This Flower Bloom?
Very late Spring - Early Summer
When Should I Buy and Plant These Bulbs?
Fall
What Kind of Light Does This Bulb Prefer?
Full sun to partial shade
What Color Will the Flower Be?
Purple-grey
How Far Apart Should I Plant These Bulbs?
5 in / 13 cm
How Deep Should I Dig?
7 in / 18 cm
How Tall Will It Grow?
12-14 in / 30-35 cm
Recommended Number of Bulbs Per Square Foot?
3
Is It Deer/Critter Resistant?
Yes
How Can I Best Use It in My Landscaping?
In borders, rock gardens and containers.
What Should I Do After Flowering?
After they have finished blooming let the foliage 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. 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); 'Ivory Queen' (ivory white).
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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