Read the instructions to avoid the crush (or know your onions)

June 28, 2009 | easygardener

Note to self : when planting out Allium bulbs with very large heads read the instructions. The instructions say  plant them 30cm (12″) apart for a very good reason……they have VERY LARGE HEADS!  Now you are going to have to dig them up and replant.

Allium cristophii

Allium cristophii

Allium giganteum is named for its height. Even so the flower head itself is pretty substantial.The poor thing was given a hammering during  last night’s thunderstorm and is feeling rather tired and droopy.

Allium giganteum

Allium giganteum

Allium giganteum

Allium giganteum

My other late flowering Allium adds a touch of blue to the garden. It feels smug as it has a small head so stands proudly upright despite the heavy rain. It knows size isn’t everything.

Allium caeruleum

Allium caeruleum

7 comments

Gravatar 1 HappyMouffetard { 06.28.09 at 7:28 pm }

Oooh – I like Allium caeruleum – I don’t have any blue alliums. The christophii might be close together but it looks like a burst of fireworks going off together, soon to fade into the night.

MH: the A. christophii don’t look too bad at the moment as they are going over – unfortunately flowering at their peak they look like a giant tangled web of exploding purple stars. Impressive in its own way but too messy for my taste :-)

Gravatar 2 Racquel { 06.28.09 at 8:05 pm }

Thanks for the tip. I planted my Purple Sensation as instructed but they seem to look better planted closer than the directions stated. I order Christophii to plant this fall but I will do as you suggested. :) They look great by the way even if they are a bit close together.

Racquel: I rather like the large Alliums planted far apart. They are imposing enough to stand on their own. Good luck with yours!

Gravatar 3 Helen/patientgardener { 06.28.09 at 8:59 pm }

I understand that the flower heads get bigger as the plant matures so maybe you do need to follow the instructions

Helen: Even bigger! Oh dear…I think I’ll start measuring them!

Gravatar 4 VP { 06.28.09 at 10:18 pm }

I’ve made exactly the same mistake with my Allium schubertii.

Mind you, those Allium christophii don’t read the instructions either – they’ve self-seeded themselves with exactly the same result as you. Tsk – you’d think they’s know better wouldn’t you?

VP: They are too big headed to listen to advice (lol)

Gravatar 5 Miranda Bell { 06.28.09 at 11:12 pm }

Hi Easygardener – am still up as it’s just too hot here so thought I’d pop over to check out your latest posting… absolutely love alliums and have planted Christophii for the first time this year and just lovely…

Miranda: It is hot and humid here too. I’m sure the weather will abruptly change just as we are getting used to the sun!

Gravatar 6 Anna { 06.30.09 at 10:09 pm }

I think that I know what that allium giganteum is feeling like – I am tired and droopy too. The christophii are my favourite alliums and the seed heads look good too :)

Gravatar 7 Megan { 07.01.09 at 5:48 am }

I do love the ones with very large heads, whatever those are. Even too close together, they’re spectacular.

Megan: It was the scale of planting which made it so amazing.

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