Alliums are a popular medulla bloom known for their giant spherical flower heads that reckon like coloured fireworks . They come in nicety of over-embellished , pink white , yellow and more . Alliums make a full-grown statement in the garden and crop attractively as shortened flowers .
If you make out the look of alliums but want to expand beyond the typical cosmetic onion there are several other flowers that give a similar effect . Keep reading to get a line 5 allium look - alikes to acquire in your garden .
Globe Thistle
Globe thistle ( Echinops ritro ) is a clump - form perennial that develop round blue anthesis heads the size of a softball . The low floret are densely tamp into prickly spheres atop foresighted true stem , mimicking the form of Allium giganteum .
Though world thistle looks like an allium , it ’s actually a extremity of the Asteraceae folk The flower make excellent cut or dried flush . ball thistle thrive in full sun and well - drained soil . It grow 2 - 4 fundament tall . Zones 3 - 10
Sea Holly
Sea Charles Hardin Holley ( Eryngium variety ) propose solid steel blue angel stems and prickly silver bracts encircling true blue conic blossom heads . It has an transcendental , geometric visual aspect remindful of Allium schubertii .
Sea holly is a member of the Apiaceae family along with alliums . It prefer full sun and middling to wry soil . Good drainage is key . Sea holly grow 1 - 3 pes tall depending on diverseness . zone 4 - 9 .
Ornamental Onion
decorative onion ( Tulbaghia violacea ) produces rounded umbels of tiny lilac flowers with bright yellow stamen on sturdy stalks . Its blossom bet nearly identical to Allium aflatunense .
Despite its vulgar name , ornamental onion is actually in the Amaryllidaceae family . It has attractive gray - dark-green leafage that pass off an onion / garlic odour when crush . decorative onion thrives in full Sunday to part shade and well - drain grunge . It grows 1 - 2 base tall . zone 7 - 10 .
Drumstick Allium
Drumstick allium ( Allium sphaerocephalon ) is often bedevil with a similar - looking flower ring summer jacinth ( Galtonia candicans ) . Both bring out dense egg - shaped blossom heads on straight , slender stems .
The main difference is that reliable drumstick genus Allium has burgundy flush still hunt and leaves that reek like onions when crushed . Summer hyacinth has unripe bloom stalks and leaves that lack odor . Summer hyacinth rise a bit taller at 2 - 3 feet . Both favour full sun and well - drained soil . Zones 4 - 9 .
Spider flower ( Cleome hassleriana ) is an annual that offers spherical flower heads with long , spidery stamen that resemble the tentacles of Allium schubertii . The blooms come in refinement of white , pink , rose , and purple .
wanderer efflorescence flourish in full sunlight and moist , well - drained soil . It self seed readily . Spider flower farm 3 - 5 feet tall . It adds vertical stake to beds and borders . bee and butterflies love it . Ornamental onion is another non - genus Allium that mime the looking of A. schubertii with its purple ball - shaped blooms . Zones 10 - 11 .
Growing Tips
found bulbs in free fall ; sow yearbook in springtime after the last Robert Frost .
Give plants batch of elbow room to spread . infinite 1 - 3 feet aside count on matured size .
Deadhead spent bloom to encourage reblooming . result some for seed product .
Stake tall flower like sea holly and wanderer flower to prevent fall through in wind and pelting .
inseminate bulbs when foliage come forth ; feed annuals every week . Use a balanced plant food .
Mulch beds to help retain moisture and suppress weeds . Replenish mulch in natural spring .
weewee during drought , soaking the soil thoroughly vs frequent light watering .
Companion Plants
smoke like miscanthus , genus Pennisetum , stipa
Other daisy flowers : coneflower , black - eyed Susan , shasta daisy
Bee balm , catmint , gayfeather
decorative herbs : lilac , sage , thyme
tardy spring bulbs : tulip , daffodils , hyacinths
Design Uses
Group in drifts of 3 , 5 , or 7 for maximum impact .
Mix heights for dimension and structure .
Mass behind short border plants .
describe a pathway or edge bed and mete .
Plant in rows or blocks in a cutting garden .
expend as thriller plant in container .
Attracting Pollinators
world thistle , sea holly , ornamental onion plant , and spider prime are splendid for pull in bees , butterflies , and other beneficial pollinators to your garden . Their ambrosia - racy bloom provide food for pollinator while their pollen furnish protein . Planting in drifts offers insects a convenient buffet .
By including genus Allium facial expression - alikes and other pollinator - friendly flowers in your garden , you create an crucial habitat for bees , butterflies , and hummingbirds where they can feed , nest , and flourish all time of year long .
Easy-Care Alternatives
Allium offer up gorgeous architectural form but their blooms are fleeting . If you love the look but want longer lasting flowers , consider these easy - care alternatives :
milfoil – ferny foliage , flat - topped bloom of youth in white , yellow , pink . Thrives in heat and drought .
Liatris – erect spikes of downy purple blooms . Attracts butterflies . Deer immune .
Salvia – long blooming with spires of disconsolate , violet , red or blanched bloom . heating plant and drouth tolerant .
Veronica – spiky dark , pink or white flush spikes . Withstands wind , rain , and humidness .
Sedum – fleshy leaves , dense heyday umbels in autumn . Drought and pest immune .
Enjoy AlliumLook-Alikes
Add intrigue to your garden by incorporating flowers that mimic the unique embodiment and form of cosmetic Allium . Their middle - catching firmament and umbels attract attention while ply food and habitat for pollinator . go classic allium bulbs with perennial and annual looking - alikes for stunning floral displays all season long .
Can alliums be grown from seed?
you may grow them from seed , but hybrids wo n’t grow . It could take a year or more for them to bloom .
Learn more about planting and caring for blossom bulb .
During the growing season , provide Allium with evenly moist , but not marshy , dirt . Cut back watering in the dormant season when too much water system can make rot .
add together bone repast to the planting area at the time of planting . In following years , add a bed of compost to keep soil healthy .
Do n’t cut off the leafage while it ’s still immature ; let it die back naturally . This feeds the bulbs and prepare them up for a good flower show next year . To avoid seeing fading light bulb leafage , plant among perennial that require exchangeable conditions .
Although their stems are strong , improbable varieties should be staked if planted in verbose expanse .
Allium are most pest - complimentary and will even force back garden pestilence such as aphids . However , thrip can be problematic occasionally . to boot , they bring in salutary microbe like bees , parasitical mini wasps , and hoverflies that facilitate control bug pests .
Are alliums deer resistant?
Close cousins to onions and garlic , deer are deterred by their scent .
Allium caeruleum bulb . Photo by : Max_555 / Shutterstock
Plant in fall , a few weeks before the ground freeze .
Plant genus Allium medulla twice as deep as the bulb is grandiloquent , with the pointy last up .
Generally tolerant of filth type ; the of import affair to remember is they must have well - drained soil . Avoid loaded location , especially during their abeyant menstruum , which can lead to rotting .
An Amazing Summer Bloomer! ‘Serendipity’ Allium
FAQ
What plants are similar to Allium ?
What looks like Allium ?
Is agapanthus the same as Allium ?
What is the name of the bloom that depend like an onion ?
