Bloom Time Chart for Allium Bulbs
If you’re one of the many gardeners who have fallen in love with alliums, our new bloom time chart could get you into some trouble. We have organized the 12 most popular allium bulbs by height, flower size and bloom time. This makes it easy to see at a glance which types you have and which ones you still need to get!
It’s impossible to predict exactly when a plant will bloom. But that said, this chart is a good reference for the bloom time sequence you can expect. If you choose alliums that bloom at different time during the season — early, mid and late — you’ll have alliums flowering from late spring through midsummer.
When to Plant Allium Bulbs
Fall is the best time to add alliums to your garden. Most types grow from bulbs that are planted in the fall, at the same time as tulips and daffodils. (Herbaceous alliums such as ‘Millennium’ are available as plants during spring and summer).
We ship allium bulbs from September through November, but you can order as early as May. Your bulbs will be set aside in our climate-controlled warehouse until proper planting time. We will not charge your credit card until we ship the bulbs. It’s the best way to guarantee you won’t forget to order and run the risk of missing out on popular types.
Need some inspiration for how to use alliums in your garden? We collaborated with garden designer Nick McCullough on two perennial garden designs featuring alliums: Bountiful Blooms and Daring Forms. Both include plant lists for all the bulbs and perennials, and we also offer bulb collections to support each design.
The National Garden Bureau chose alliums as the Bulb of the Year for 2016. Learn more about these easy-to-grow, deer-resistant perennials, here: Alliums for Every Garden, Allium Garden Design: Bountiful Blooms, Types of Alliums, Planting Fall Bulbs in a Meadow (video).
I forgot to plant my allium bulbs last fall its march here in illinois Can i still plant them now /?
Hi Barbara,
If the bulbs are still in good condition and haven’t dried out, you can try planting them as soon as the ground thaws. I’m sorry to say, but it’s unlikely they will bloom. The natural growth cycle is for the bulbs to start growing in the fall and then be dormant over the winter before coming back to life in the spring. We start accepting bulb orders for next fall at the end of March!
Mine bloomed with a spring planting.
Some tulips and now my alliums just produce a seed head and no bloom. What am I doing wrong??
Hi Jane,
First come flowers, then come seeds. To produce seeds the plant must have produced a flower. Maybe you saw buds that didn’t open? Sometimes bulbs will do this when it is too hot/cold/dry. Or there could be a problem with the planting location.
Do the bulbs bloom subsequent years like other perennials and daffodils or are they like tulips , which are one hit wonders?
Hi Pat — Alliums are definitely perennials, but not quite on par with daffodils. It depends a bit on the type of allium bulb and also on your location and soil. The alliums I have found to be most perennial are Purple Sensation, Allium Nigrum and Allium sphaerocephalon (drumstick allium). That said, the big-headed alliums such as Globemaster and Gladiator have returned in my garden for at least 5 years now. For me, Allium atropurpureum and christophii don’t always come back, but I know others find them to be reliably perennial. All types are fun to grow!
Hi! I planted allium bulbs in late fall (I am in zone 9). It is now January, and we have had a much warmer than usual fall & winter—at least until this week. To date, none of them have sprouted. Did I wait too long to plant them? Is there a possibility that some of them may still come up?
Hi there. We recommend alliums (the fall-planted ones that grow from bulbs) for zones 3-8. Where you are in zone 9, they may require pre-chilling in order to bloom properly. But regardless, the bulbs should eventually sprout as long as they have not rotted or dried out.
The best way to know what’s happening is to carefully dig up a bulb or two. If the bulbs are firm like a potato, they’re probably fine and will eventually sprout. If they are dry or mushy, please contact customer service — information is at the bottom of our home page.
I am in the New York area and I have an Allium and Tulip bulb. Can I take a chance and plan them in separate pots indoor now in February and transfer outdoor when they hopefully sprout? Fingers crossed, for bloom even in mid – to late Summer?????
l
Hi Veronica,
I’m assuming those two bulbs are left over from last fall? Spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils and alliums are planted in the fall because to bloom properly, they need to go through an 8-15 week chilling period at temperatures of 40°F (or colder).
At this point, the chance of that tulip bulb ever blooming is pretty low. Alliums are more forgiving. You could try planting the allium bulb and then transplanting it outdoors in spring. I don’t think it will bloom this year, but it if it grows well, produces a good crop of leaves, and then dies back to the ground, it might give you a flower the following year.
Hi All,
I am in zone 8 and had planted 2 giant allium bulbs in fall, the plants have grown but I see both of them showing similar signs of half leaves are yellow or broking from middle what can be the issue, also by when these will bloom in case they survive.Thanks in advance for helping.
Hi there — zone 8 is the warm edge of where these alliums will grow, so it’s possible this is a temperature problem. Is the soil very wet? If yes, the bulbs may be rotting. Usually the foliage is green and lush until the flowers start blooming. Then the leaves begin to yellow and will wither away within the next couple weeks. Sorry you are not having good results. We guarantee everything we sell, so if you think it could be a problem with the bulbs, please send us an email via our website and our customer service department will get back to you!
Hi,
My garden is full of leaves from allium bulbs planted over a few years.
Is there some way I can tell which are viable and productive and those that
Are going to make only foliage so I can dig out? My garden is getting full of
Just leaves. Please help. Thanks
Hi Chris – I have exactly the same situation in my garden. This year I can barely see any of the other perennials in the bed (peonies and such) because there’s so much allium foliage. The alliums with big leaves will be attached to the largest bulbs and will produce the largest flowers. Skinny leaves indicate small bulbs that may or may not produce flowers. You could selectively dig out some of the sections — especially where there are lots of small leaves. Another strategy would be to snip off many of the skinny leaves at the base, leaving only the thicker ones. I’m going to give both ideas a try and will post back here about what happens — please do the same if you try it.
Hi Kathy – Any update?
Sorry to say that we had a late spring and by the time May arrived there were so many other must-do projects that thinning alliums never happened. They are blooming now. I plan to renovate that bed this fall, so the alliums may wind up going somewhere else.
There is an allium blooming now mid August – in my neighborhood but I can’t find the variety on line. Can you help by providing a name.
Hi Alaina – You didn’t describe the flower, but if it grows in a clump and has white flowers, it is allium tuberosum, also known as garlic chives. If the flowers are purple, it may be allium ‘Millennium’ or one of several similar varieties. Both of these are herbaceous perennials (not bulbs) so you can plant them as potted plants anytime from spring through early fall.
Hi there, I planned giant Alli’s early autumn and they have started sending shoots up already (only a matter of weeks) will they actually grow before the cold comes? Does this mean my summer show has been ruined?
Many thanks
Darren
Hi Darren, I have not had this happen with alliums, but have seen it with some other spring-blooming bulbs. The soil may have been a little warm for planting and the bulbs got confused. When cold weather comes, the foliage will die back and the bulbs will go dormant until spring. Bulbs are incredibly resilient and they’ll probably bloom just fine next spring.
Hi, this is venkat from india, can we grow allium giganteum in indian weather. In summer it’s 20 to 45℃, and in winter 13℃ – 30℃.
Hi Venkat — I can’t say for sure, but your winter temperatures are probably not cold enough for these alliums. Most spring-blooming bulbs need to be exposed to 8-10 consecutive weeks (or more) of winter temperatures that are 7°C or colder. We recommend chilling the bulbs in a refrigerator and then planting them into the garden to bloom. Here is some information about how that’s done: https://www.longfield-gardens.com/article/How-to-Grow-Spring-Bulbs-in-Warm-Climates . Good luck!
Hi!
I just want to know for how long flowers stay affter blooming
I’m zone 6
If you are asking how long the seed heads last, I can say that it varies by species and is also a weather factor. The seed heads of A. schubertii, christophii and Globemaster tend to last the longest. But weather is also a key factor. The seed heads persist much longer in a dry summer than in a wet one. Hope this helps.
We’ve been having warm weather and my alliums started growing again what should I do.
Hi Dawn – Spring-blooming bulbs develop their roots in the fall and will sometime send up leaves as well. That foliage will not survive the winter, but the bulbs should still have plenty of energy to bloom in the spring.
Hello! I just planted alliums in zone 7 (New York). Was it too late in the Fall?
Hi Ali – Spring bulbs can be planted in mid to late fall — anytime before the ground starts to freeze. Yours should be fine!
Some bulbs go dormant in summer and want to stay dry side, perhaps rotting during this time if watered to keep other plants alive and blossoming . Do Alium require the dry period to survive?
And when is the best time to fertilize?
Thanks! Bill (Indiana, USA)
Hi Bill,
I grow many different types of alliums in my northern Vermont garden. Our summers are pretty wet (about 11″ June-August) and alliums perform well. The bulbs are not prone to splitting like tulips and daffodils.
The only time spring-blooming bulbs can absorb nutrients is when they are in active growth. Most of them grow a little in the fall before they go dormant, but most growth is from very early spring until the foliage starts to die back right around bloom time. So you could apply a liquid, quick release fertilizer in early spring. If you use a granular, slow release fertilizer, you may want to apply it in the fall so there’s time for it to become available.
Hi,
I just planted my bulbs. Was it too late. I’m in CT.
Thank you.
Hi Ania – Fall-planted bulbs just need a couple weeks to get their roots established before the ground freezes. Since you were able to plant, the ground isn’t frozen yet so they should be OK.
How many blooms do you get per bulb (approx) for Allium Drumstick, or are they a single flower bloomer? Thank you.
Hi Tracy — You will get one stem and one bloom per bulb — but the bulbs multiply and the flower heads also produce seeds. If the seeds germinate and start to grow, the young plants are grassy-looking and it will take a couple years for them to get large enough to flower. So if you don’t want that look, nip off the flowers and don’t let them go to seed. Fortunately the bulbs are inexpensive, so you can plant them liberally. Enjoy!
Hi, I desperately want Alliums in my garden this summer. Where can I buy the Millennium
plants so I can include them in my garden without having to wait until next Fall to plant the bulbs. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Gil
Hi Gil – Allium Millenium (the officially correct spelling) does grow from bulbs, but the plant forms a dense clump of roots, much like chives. This means it can be divided in spring or fall and offered for sale like other perennials. If not available locally, you can purchase it online from Bluestone Perennials, High Country Gardens or Plant Delights.
Do you have any idea why Allium would bloom shorter and smaller each year? Is there something that should be done, like lift and divide?
Hi Keith – Alliums that grow from bulbs (as opposed to clump-forming types like Allium tuberosum) don’t always behave like perennials. As with tulips and many other types of bulbs, if the soil isn’t extremely well drained, the bulbs tend to split. Unfortunately, these smaller bulbs no longer have enough energy to produce full size flowers. If you dig up some of the bulbs, you will probably see that this is what has happened. It takes a large bulb to produce full-size flowers. I don’t think dividing will help to bulk up the size of the bulbs – but you could always give it a try. Best option is to plant new bulbs this fall.
Hello! Could you offer any advice for keeping alliums in planters? I can’t find any information on this online and wondered if you could help please?
Many thanks in advance!
Hi Cindy – We do not have experience growing alliums in containers, but feel pretty confident that they can be treated the same as tulips and daffodils. I have reached out to a couple people in hopes of getting some more specific recommendations for you and will add a comment here if I have more information to share.
Hi, It is now June 1st and my alliums are just short leaves and turning yellow. Last year they were by now tall and beautiful. What should I do? I am thinking about digging one up to see if the bulb is intact. Do you recommend this? If it is should I try to plant it elsewhere in the garden? Thank you for any advice you can give.
Hi Nancy – Definitely a good idea to dig up the bulbs and see what’s going on. This happened with some of my alliums this year. They were 2 and 3-year-old bulbs and were in a spot that’s not very well drained. It seems like the bulbs rotted because the foliage just pulled right out. We had a very cold, wet, late spring and I think it was too wet for them.
The early freeze/snow in Zone 6 has messed up my bulb planting as I was already running late. I want allium ‘Millennium to be in its glory June 20 for an outdoor wedding. I can winter in cool dark basement or shed in pots… can I put them in sun in spring? Can I transplant into ground in spring once I’ve started them in pots? Can I buy bulbs now -mid November – and start the process?
Hi Nancy – Some alliums are planted as bulbs, some as plants. Allium ‘Millennium” is propagated as an herbaceous plant, not a bulb. You could add young plants to your garden now, but it’s unlikely you will be able to find plants this late in the season. So at this point you will need to purchase potted plants in the spring. Go for the biggest plants you can find. Bloom time for these potted plants may be earlier than normal. In subsequent years they will bloom at the normal time.
I’m in New York and we have had some very warm weather this winter. My alliums have started to come up and its only first week in February. So far only leaves and not the buds. What should I do so I have healthy spring flowers?
Thank you.
Hi Leslie – Spring flower bulbs are incredibly resilient. That’s a good thing because “normal” winters seem to be a thing of the past. Here is an article from our website that will hopefully help to allay your fears: What to Do When Bulbs Come Up Too Early.
I bought an allium plant in bloom last spring and put it into the ground. I live in Georgia and it didn’t bloom, but I have the foliage. It’s in a sunny and well drained area. I didn’t know to cut off the flower stalks because it was my first. Where do I go from here? Now it just looks like monkey grass.
Hi Nikki – there are many types of alliums, which you can read about HERE. You don’t say which type you have, so I’m not sure what to recommend. If it is an herbaceous allium with a clump of roots rather than a bulb (varieties include Millennium and Summer Beauty), those usually have grassy foliage and don’t bloom until early summer.
Bought some Persian blue allium last fall as bulbs. I didnt get the bulbs in the ground last fall. The bulbs were left in a dark cold place in a enclosed porch in a paper bag. I live in Wisconsin its now mid April, should I wait till this fall to put in ground or can I do it now? If I do it now will they bloom next year?
Hi Jamie – If your allium bulbs are still firm and solid (like cooking onions), plant them right now. Inside each bulb is a living plant and it will not survive being out of the ground for more than 6 months or so. Your bulbs may have had enough of a chilling period to bloom for you this spring, but it’s a bit unlikely. If you find that the bulbs produce foliage this spring and early summer, they may bloom for you next spring. To be sure, we recommend planting fresh bulbs in the fall.
I bought a pot of Alliums last year, from a reputable garden centre (repotted them into a bigger pot) the leaves have stayed green all through winter – they look healthy but there is no sign of flower stem,, lots of lush green leaves but not a lot else -do potted Alliums come up each year – should I have cut them right back even though the leaves were still green and healthy? Any advise would be appreciated. They are Allium Millennium (ornamental Onion)
Hi Paula – Allium ‘Millenium’ is an herbaceous allium, which means it grows from a clump of roots (like most other perennials) rather than from bulbs (like Gladiator or Purple Sensation). The normal bloom time is midsummer, so you won’t see any flowers until then. There’s no need to cut back the foliage of this type of allium — unless it has been cold enough for the leaves die during the winter. These herbaceous alliums usually need to be divided every few years to encourage flowering. You can learn more about growing alliums in this article on our website: Types of Alliums
My gladiators appear to have two blooms. Is one a seed pod? And should a cut it off to allow the flower to bloom better?
Hi Lisa – plants need to flower before they can form seeds. So what you are seeing may be a second flower bud. The way bulbs work, the flower is formed before it opens, so cutting off a competing flower won’t have much effect.
Does the foliage of alliums need to die right back, as with tulips/daffs to replenish the bulb, before removing it?
Hi Pauline – Yes you do. Works the same way. Fortunately, allium foliage dies back very quickly (often while the plant is still in bloom).
Hi from Debbie in Chicago!
I had Purple Sensations growing in a foundation garden for 5-6 years in 2 areas, each with at most 3-4 bulbs. Since they never really amounted to much, I thought I would consolidate them and move them into what I thought was a better full sun location in a lower back corner garden. I moved them last May 15 before dieback because I wanted to be sure I found them all. I think I waited til they were fully blossomed. They were ok after the move. The flowers still stood erect but leaned a little.
This year only a few (3-4) thin leaf blades are up. I dont know what that means…hope or no hope?
– Did I bury the bulbs too deep and they need to be raised?
– Do the thin green leaf blades indicate immature bulbs or bulbs recovering from being moved at the wrong time?
– Did they rot? There is a sprinkler head nearby and it is possible there could be clumps of thick tan clay 6-8″ down as the neighboring Zebra Grass’ roots were thriving in the clay when I divided it this year. I also had major dieback in neighboring purple coneflowers which I learned also like fast draining soil. I lifted them and they seem to be growing rather than dying.
– If the soil is not fast draining, can I improve it by adding oyster shells and peat moss? What would you recommend?
I am afraid to dig the area up, if they just need more time to settle in. But if they are goners, then I’d like to improve drainage and plant new ones in the fall. They really looked great in that spot last year and I really want to enjoy them there if at all possible.
Thanks so much for your help!
Hi – Very few bulbs thrive in wet, heavy soil. They may be able to survive for a few years, but they won’t thrive. In order to act like perennials, they need to be planted in very well drained soil. This why in many parts of the country, spring bulbs such as tulips, alliums and hyacinths should be replanted each fall. You can learn more in this article on our website: Which Spring-Blooming Bulbs are Perennial.
Unfortunately it is not easy to lighten clay soil. If you can, try to raise the level of the planting bed so it’s higher than the surrounding soil. Also try to drain away any surface water that could add to the problem. Over time, mixing in compost and shredded leaves will gradually lighten the soil and improve drainage. But it can take some years to see an improvement.
Go ahead and dig up a few of the bulbs to see how they look. You may find they are decaying (due to too much moisture) or they could be just too small and weak to produce flowers. Do what you can to improve the soil and then plant a fresh batch of bulbs in the fall.
I have been given alliums that have been dug up. But a couple are in full flower and the stems cannot be pulled from the bulb. What should I do?
Hi – Replant the bulbs as soon as possible and do not remove the stems or foliage. When the flower is done blooming, cut off the spent blossoms, but leave the stems in place. Wait until the stems are completely yellow and getting dried up. Then give them a gentle upward tug. When the bulb is ripe, the stems will detach easily, leaving the bulbs in the ground for next year.
Hi again!
After my post, I rechecked the transplanted allium patch and there are 9 individual pencil thin blades each only 4-6″ tall. Never saw anything like this before. Thanks again!
The original bulbs may be spent and these are “daughter” bulbs, meaning they are offshoots from the main bulb. Many bulbs, including some alliums, multiply by generating offshoots.
Hello, I’d like to you which Alliums (hybrids or species) are the most attractive to pollinators in your experience?
Hi – In my experience bees and butterflies love all alliums. I typically see more butterflies on the big-headed alliums — probably due to the later bloom time or the fact that the large heads are easier to climb around on. As you can see on this bloom time chart, bloom times vary, so planting lots of different types of alliums is the best way to attract many different kinds of pollinators at different times during the season.
Hi, What variety of allium does best for a zone 3. I actually live in zone 4 and Purple Sensarion does well but not Gladiator. I would to try some different varieties.
Hi Geralyn – I live in zone 4 as well. The big-headed alliums usually grow well for me, though they sometimes succumb to soggy soil and I can’t rely on them to be perennial. In addition to Purple Sensation, other alliums that are reliably perennial here in zone 4 are Allium bulgaricum and Allium spaerocephalon (drumstick). I also consider herbaceous alliums essential, including Alliums ‘Summer Beauty’ and ‘Millennium’ and Allium tuberosum. This year I grew Allium christophii for the first time and it has performed beautifully. Not 100% sure they will all come back, but the bulbs are inexpensive and I’ll definitely plant them again. Hope this helps.
I just received word that my purple sensations have shipped from the online order I placed. We are still having 90 degree highs each day. Should I wait to plant the bulbs and if so how do I store the bulbs until the right time to plant. Zone 6, no basement and garage still hot.
Hi Catherine – we don’t begin shipping fall-planted bulbs until the end of September and for zone 6 we ship in early October. So you are correct that this is early. We do not recommend storing bulbs in the refrigerator because ripening fruit can kill the plants inside the bulbs. So store the bulbs where it is dark and as cool as possible. You can go ahead and plant them at the end of September.
This chart doesn’t talk about the white allium or beau and when they come up?? I just purchased beau, super mixed bag, and drum. Can you tell me their times? My sensation come up in May.
There are several types of white alliums. We do not offer a variety called Beau, so I don’t know about that one. If by “drum” you mean drumstick alliums, you’ll find them shown on the chart.
Hi,My name is sunsun from Chaingrai Thailand
I need to know about temp. for growth Allium after we chill them in refrigerator.Weather in 18-25 °C.Can it be planted?
Hi – check our article about growing spring-blooming bulbs in warm climates. It covers chilling temperature and duration. Chilling period given is the minimum (longer is OK). Plant right after the bulbs come out of the refrigerator. Good luck! How to Grow Spring Bulbs in Warm Climates.
I have not had luck with alliums in the past here in central NC. I am willing to dig them up each year and chill them if need be. What would be the schedule of planting, digging and chilling? Want to try Globemaster in 8b. TIA
Hi Elizabeth – We recommend pre-chilling allium bulbs in zones 9 and warmer. You are right on the cusp, so it’s not surprising that they are not performing for you. This article on our website covers temperatures and duration for pre-chilling spring blooming bulbs: How to Grow Spring Bulbs in Warm Climates. Hope this helps you get these alliums to bloom.
Is it normal for allium bulbs to multiply ALOT – meaning 4 or 5 bulbs spreading to over 25- most being the same size as original bulbs? I laughed when I kept seeing more & more – it was like potatoes ! The allium are about 48” tall, white flowers. Not giant, but the bulbs were large, planted 2 years ago.
Hi Linda – Some types of alliums multiply and others don’t. Yours must be very happy where they are growing. I’m guessing you may have a variety named Mt. Everest. It is related to Allium hollandicum, which is a good multiplier.
hi Linda
While working in my garden yesterday I found a packet of king and queen Allium. it must have been a combination pack I bought last year, packet is decomposed badly so cant quite make out the variety.
They were in a compost bag and have long green shoots already,
1) are they growing to early because of being in a compost bag?
2) Can I pot these or are they no good now?
3) will I cut back the green stem?
What would your advise be please.
Hi Brigid – I am not familiar with “king and queen” alliums. If the bulbs are still firm, they may be OK. Plant them in the garden several inches deep, taking care not to damage the shoots (do not cut them back). They may or may not bloom this year, but it’s possible they could come back next year.
I’m confused. I bought some Allium bulbs being sold at a nursery along with Tiger Lilly bulbs. These bulbs are meant to be planted in the Spring, are they not? And if so, do I leave them in the ground, or do I need to pull them out in the Fall (like you would Cannas & Elephant Ears). How are these different than bulbs you plant in the Fall? I’m in zone 6.
Lily bulbs may be planted in spring or fall. Allium bulbs are only planted in the fall. Note that there are two types of alliums: those that grow from bulbs and those that are herbaceous and have a root ball like other perennials. Learn more here: All About Alliums. Alliums and lilies are both winter hardy in your growing zone, so they can be left in the ground.
I wish could post the pictures cause looks like onion plants growing from the blooms but the little florets haven’t opened yet. This first time blooming, planted them last fall. Would get better next time? I know been hard with cold storms till mid spring.
Hi – there are many, many different types of alliums. One of them is called “Hair” and the flower heads look like a collection of tiny scallions. Look it up – maybe that’s the variety you planted. If so, you may want to plant a different type next fall!
I bought 8 gladiator bulbs and planted them last fall per the recommended schedule in Raleigh, NC area. I haven’t seen any activity from any of the bulbs. Should I have by now in mid May, or am I being too anxious. Thanks.
Hi Erin – Sorry to hear your alliums are not growing. They should be up and blooming by now. Please dig down and see if you can find one of the bulbs. This may shed some light on the problem. If you purchased the bulbs from Longfield Gardens, please contact our customer service department so we can help.
I planted so many alliums and only 4 came up .hat gives?
Alliums are usually very reliable bloomers. You could dig down to see if you can find the bulbs – that may shed some light on what happened. If the soil is soggy now and/or was soggy during the winter, the bulbs may have rotted. Bulbs need to be planted in well drained soil. If you purchased your allium bulbs from Longfield Gardens, please contact our customer service department about a replacement or refund.
Hi,
If I order Aliums now and u ship them in the Fall….approximately when would I receive them….I live on Long Island but I go to Florida in mid-October…and if they r shipped later than that I would not have time to plant them.
Many thanx,
Hi – Shipping to your growing zone normally begins the last week of September, but we start shipping to northern zones a week earlier than that. When you are ordering, you can request the earliest possible ship date if you wish. There is a shipping chart by growing zone on our website in the HELP section.
I live in zone 8b, will Alliums grow here?
Hi Debbie – Sorry to say, but it’s likely alliums will struggle in your climate. Have you tried growing some of the herbaceous types such as Millennium and Summer Beauty?
Can alllium bulbs be dug up and stored each year?
Hi – In most places this is not necessary, but you can do it. Dig the bulbs after the foliage has died back. Let the bulbs dry for about a week (away from heat and sun). Then gently pull away any remaining foliage or soil. Store the bulbs loosely in a mesh bag or cardboard box, in a dark, dry, well ventilated place at about 60 degrees F until it’s time to replant in the fall.
Hi there ,i jist plant my purple sensation yesterday .it says on the baxk of the instruction plant 8 to 10 inches deep .but saw your add it says plant 5 to 6 inches deep ! Which is which ?? Im confused ! Should i dig them out and re plant them again .
Hi Jenny – alliums are very forgiving. That said, 8-10″ deep is very deep for bulbs that are only about an inch in height. The standard recommendation is to plant fall bulbs at a depth that is 3 times their height. If it’s easy to replant them at the proper depth, I’d go ahead and do that.
Amazing Alliums started with 2 globe masters 20years ago, now they have subvivided and I have over 200. Often dig them up subdivide and plant again, also given many away to share the joy they bring.
That’s great to know. In some parts of the country, big-headed alliums are not reliably perennial. Glad you have so many of them — and can share them with others. Must be a beautiful sight in the spring!
I live in GA, Zone 8. How can I grow Alliums. I love love love them. The only year I had success is when we had a really cold winter and that just doesn’t happen much anymore. Is it possible to keep them in the fridge/freezer until a certain point and then plant them>
Hi Susan – I don’t know how much chilling alliums require, but suggest you follow the same instructions as for pre-chilling tulip bulbs. You’ll find an article about how to do that here: How to Grow Spring Bulbs in Warm Climates.
Hi I live in zone 6b, planted purple sensation alliums in Nov. 2020 and most of them sprouted 2nd week of March and bloomed in May. This year they also sprouted 2nd week of March with more shoots in one bulb, some have 4 to 6 new shoots in one bulb. But noticed the edges of the leaves have a purplish color. I watered them on the 20th of March because I thought the surface of the soil was too dry and we had temperature in the 60’s before that for few days so not sure if my watering caused the leaves to turn purple. I also notice some of the edges of the leaves are turning brown where the shaded area are. When do purple sensation starts to die back? I don’t remember last year if the flower shoots sprouted first before the leaves dies back or the leaves dies back before flower shoots sprouts. Should I divide them this fall or next year? I read some recommended to divide after 3 yrs.
Hi Ann — The foliage of Purple Sensation alliums emerges early and it’s normal for the leaves to start to yellow and die back before the flowers are in bloom. It’s an annoying trait. I can recommend two strategies to deal with the dying foliage. Either plant the bulbs among other perennials that will hide the foliage, or pull off the leaves as they yellow. This last technique is tedious, but since the foliage is already yellowing, it means the bulbs have finished gathering energy and no longer need the leaves. It’s hard to say if/how often to divide the bulbs. It depends on soil, climate, light, and what other plants they are competing with. I dig and remove bulbs every couple years to keep them from taking over the border — and to spread them to other areas.
We planted some alliums in October but the rest not until late December. We are zone 7 and the fall planted bulbs are coming up well and are 10” as of April 1st but no sign of any foliage for the others. Same type. Will the December bulbs just come a bit later?
The December-planted ones should be fine, but it’s possible they dried out too much before they were planted. The best way to find out what’s happening is to dig up a few of the bulbs and see how they look.
I’m interested in planting other varieties; but I think I currently have a purple one with ~3-4 inch flower heads– blooming now. I assume they self sow?
I’m interested in some later bloomers.
Also, are the little florets edible?
Giant alliums such as Globemaster and Gladiator usually begin blooming a couple weeks after ‘Purple Sensation’ (Allium aflatunense). The giant alliums rarely self sow, but Purple Sensation does multiply by both division and seed. I don’t know if the florets are edible and I would not recommend eating them unless you can find someone who is confident they are edible.