Gladiator Allium

The Gladiator Allium naturalizes quite well, returning year after year with increased vigor and blooms. Plus, butterflies and other pollinators love alliums and will visit the landscape in large numbers. For extra flair, plant shorter-stemmed blooms in front of the leafless stalks of Gladiator. Allium 'Gladiator'

Gladiator Allium Q&A

How do you care for Gladiator Alliums?

Alliums, including this giant purple allium, are truly easy-care plants. Simply set them in fall in a sunny, well-draining location, leaving room for air flow between the plants, and they'll happily bloom for years to come.

Each spring, apply a light fertilizer or bulb food to your planting site. Once the bulbs sprout, make sure the plants receive adequate water-which, for alliums, is not a high bar. You should water once per week during dry spells, but a weekly rain shower is plenty of drenching for most hardy allium bulbs to bloom with wide, beautiful, globe-shaped flowers.

After your allium flowers begin to fade, deadhead the plants if desired, but leave the foliage for several weeks. You can also leave the large flowers of Gladiator Allium in place for winter interest. Cut the plants all the way to the ground once the foliage dies back, and provide a light layer of mulch before winter.

When to plant Gladiator Alliums?

Like most plants sprouting from hardy flower bulbs and corms, Allium is best planted in September or October, so that it can enjoy a cold spell before sprouting in spring. Fall planting provides your Gladiator Alliums plenty of time to set some short 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. If you find that you simply must store allium bulbs, keep them in a cool, dry location until the ground becomes workable and you are able to plant.

If needed, you can store your allium bulbs and plant them in the spring. They may not bloom in the first year, but they should return for a second season, with flowers, after their first winter.

When do Gladiator Allium bulbs bloom?

Gladiator Alliums bloom in early or mid-summer, which falls in June or July in most locations. These plants are a nice transition from late-spring bulbs, such as parrot tulips and springtime iris, and into a season of clematis, peonies, and other summertime flowers.

How big does a Gladiator allium flower get?

Gladiator alliums are the among the largest allium flowers on the market, growing up to five feet tall with huge, globe-shaped flowers.

Their excellent height make Gladiator Alliums the perfect plant for creating a statement or lining the back of a garden. These large, violet-purple alliums can grow from 30 to 60 inches in height, and create a truly striking effect. The giant allium flowers suit the size of the stalks, opening in hundreds of florets and blooming at about six inches across. Gladiator alliums blooms are slightly smaller than Globemaster's record-breaking 10 inch flowers.

What are common pests and diseases for Gladiator allium flowers?

Gladiator alliums, as well as most other hardy alliums, are quite resistant to pests and diseases. Rodents tend to leave allium alone, and deer don't typically graze these flowers.

Typically, any failure among these bulbs is the result of overly-moist conditions, resulting in various types of root rot. Be sure to plant your bulbs in well-draining soil, and add compost or loam to further improve drainage. Here are a few common issues for which to stay on the lookout:

• Basal rot: Rot beginning at the root of the bulb typically starts with too-moist conditions. If you see a lot of leaf failure or wilting, try digging up a few bulbs to check for moist, soft areas. Dispose of any rotted bulbs.
• Leafminers: Tiny leafminer insects can cause stripes of damage across the foliage and stems of your allium. Check for small, dark insects, and use commercially available pesticides if you see lining along your stalks.
• Pink rot: Pink rot appears in plants with yellowing bases and pinkish bulbs. Unfortunately, there's no cure for pink rot, but removing any affected bulbs can help contain the outbreak. Improving drainage will help, too.
• Fusarium bulb rot: Alliums affected by Fusarium bulb rot have soft, weak spots at the base of the plant. This is another form of rot that can be prevented with good drainage.
• Mold, mildew, and rust: Discoloration on the leaves or stems of your allium may be signs that you have a mold or rust concern. Air flow is key in preventing those problems.

When will my order ship?

Plants will be shipped at the proper planting time for your area of the country during the shipping timeframes outlined below: