Allium

About Allium Bulbs

A fresh approach to adding charm and beauty to your garden, allium flowers are easy-to-care-for plants that are the perfect addition to the center of your perennial flower bed. Our allium bulbs bloom small, star-shaped florets to create a dramatic globe atop sturdy, tall stems. Also known as "ornamental onions", these large, eye-catching allium plants are ideal in full or partial sun, are deer-resistant, and will attract beautiful hummingbirds to the garden.

Questions about Allium

Where is the best place to plant allium bulbs?

Allium bulbs can be planted in any location with good draining soil and full sun, and will thrive in Zones 3 through 8. These hardy flowers don't mind direct sunlight, and are drought-tolerant once established. Similarly to native wildflowers, most types of allium can handle high heat and rocky soil, and perform beautifully in prairie-like conditions. Find out what zone you're in using our Zone Finder tool.

Alliums are quite versatile, and their height and unique stature make them stand out in any location. Plant them in a clump to create a unique focal point, or along the back of a border or fence line. Alliums perform well in dry soil once established, and can be used in rock gardens or containers. Consider mixing allium bulbs among earlier-spring bulbs for a burst of color once those early bloomers fade.

For more allium planting tips, check out our planting bulbs guide.

When to plant Allium Bulbs?

Allium is a hardy plant that is best planted in the early fall around September and October. Fall planting provides time for your allium to grow some strong roots before the winter sets in. If you're buying allium bulbs online, Spring Hill will ship your alliums at the right time for planting, and you'll want to get them into the ground soon after they arrive at your door.

Alliums give their best performance when provided a cold period over winter, but these bulbs actually can be planted in the spring. They may not give you many blooms in their first season if planted in spring, but they will sprout before coming back strong in the second season. If you must store allium bulbs, keep them in a cool, dry location until the ground becomes workable.

Do allium require any winter care?

Alliums, thanks to their roots as native plants, are exceptionally tolerant of both cold winters and hot summers. These plants require very little in the way of winter care. After they've bloomed, you may choose to deadhead your allium plants-however, allow them to retain their foliage until it dies back naturally. The tall stems of allium add plenty of summertime interest to your garden, and the leaves allow the plants to continue to store energy for the upcoming season.

Should I worry about my allium plants attracting animals?

Alliums are among the most animal-resistant plants for the garden, and are a great choice if you experience deer, squirrels, moles or other critters rooting around your landscape. Their bulbs are small and not particularly tender. And, as members of the onion family, the taste of allium leaves is somewhat harsh, further putting off those grazers you may be worried about. The leaves and bulbs have a strong flavor, but are not aromatic when undisturbed, so you don't need to worry about your garden smelling like an onion patch, either.

In addition to defending themselves from mammals, allium also attract pollinators such as butterflies, bumblebees, and hummingbirds to the garden. These are great plants for bringing in beneficial insects.