Whenever people see these whimsical blooms in our yard, there are curious comments aplenty. Alliums, also known as ornamental onions, are a fun focal point for the garden, and easy-peasy to grow. My sister, Cheryl, a very talented landscape designer, turned me on to these springtime beauties a number of years ago, and I absolutely LOVE them!! (And deer and rabbits don’t love them – yay!)
Cheryl recommended the allium ‘Purple Sensation’, which produces violet balls 4 to 5 inches in diameter on thick stems 20 to 30 inches tall. Just plant these carefree bulbs in a sunny location in the fall and enjoy their playful garden presence next spring.
I love to watch alliums emerge.
an allium in early spring, just a few inches tall…
now much taller, the violet takes a peek… pops out…
and finally bursts!
alliums make me happy
alliums make me smile
I want to plant more alliums!!
Do you have a favorite plant that makes you especially happy?
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Just catching up on some of your blog posts. I love allium too! They are so fun and whimsical. Now it makes me want some – if only I knew where to plant some :) Wish I could put them on the backside of our house but it’s facing north and would get virtually no sun. Bummer!
I just love pulmonaria, aka lungwort. To me it represents a baby shower in the spring with its blue and pink flowers and later in the summer, the interesting polka-dot furry leaves. There are so many varieties represents at the Arboretum. It makes me smile.
Hi Amber, what I’ve experienced with the alliums multiplying is pretty minimal. They have been in no way invasive, and I’ve had them in my yard for about 4 years. I truly do want to plant more!
Oh, how I need Alliums in my life! I’ve only ever seen pictures of them in gardening catalogs, and they always make me smile, too. It was so cool of you to post one of them going from nothing to full bloom. That was neat~! I wonder how fast that they spread?
Thank you so much for sharing the photos of the stages of growth of your Allium. They put a smile on my face in this hot desert sun! They certainly achieved what you desired for your garden (form, texture, contrast and POP!)
LOVE this post! I was just taking pictures of all the beautiful blooms in my own yard. But I don’t have these and will now look for a spot to put them this fall. I love my peonies and irises this time of year. And I’m anxiously waiting for the honeysuckle blooms to pop that I planted on my arbor last year. This is the season we suffer for, eh?
Just catching up on some of your blog posts. I love allium too! They are so fun and whimsical. Now it makes me want some – if only I knew where to plant some :) Wish I could put them on the backside of our house but it’s facing north and would get virtually no sun. Bummer!
Sarah – these totally fit you! You need to find a spot in your yard! -Brenda
I just love pulmonaria, aka lungwort. To me it represents a baby shower in the spring with its blue and pink flowers and later in the summer, the interesting polka-dot furry leaves. There are so many varieties represents at the Arboretum. It makes me smile.
Diane – It makes me smile just to read your description of pulmonaria! Definitely a lovely plant.
Hi Amber, what I’ve experienced with the alliums multiplying is pretty minimal. They have been in no way invasive, and I’ve had them in my yard for about 4 years. I truly do want to plant more!
Oh, how I need Alliums in my life! I’ve only ever seen pictures of them in gardening catalogs, and they always make me smile, too. It was so cool of you to post one of them going from nothing to full bloom. That was neat~! I wonder how fast that they spread?
Thank you so much for sharing the photos of the stages of growth of your Allium. They put a smile on my face in this hot desert sun! They certainly achieved what you desired for your garden (form, texture, contrast and POP!)
Cheryl, you’re so welcome! Thank YOU for suggesting them. They’re perfect!
Beautiful! Thanks for posting the variety, as I want to plant some next fall and like yours.
LOVE this post! I was just taking pictures of all the beautiful blooms in my own yard. But I don’t have these and will now look for a spot to put them this fall.
I love my peonies and irises this time of year. And I’m anxiously waiting for the honeysuckle blooms to pop that I planted on my arbor last year. This is the season we suffer for, eh?
Angela – I LOVE honeysuckle! I keep trying to think where it could fit in my yard. There are just so many beautiful plants in this world!