Allium Planting Guide and Tips
Today I want to show you how to grow your own allium bulbs. Now, alliums are one of the most beautiful flowers to come out in the spring, and they’re very unique – they’re almost like a Dr. Seuss flower. They have these giant, fuzzy heads and look beautiful in flower arrangements and in people’s gardens. And it’s so easy to grow!
Here’s how to put those bulbs in the ground today.
When to Plant Allium Bulbs
Fall is the best time to put alliums in the ground. Wait until night temperatures drop to about 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit before planting your bulbs.
How to plant allium bulbs
- Find a sunny place in your garden.
- Dig a hole two to three times the size of the bulb.
- Add some organic fertilizer, especially if you have clay soil, and mix it like a small cake mix. Then your soil will be good. (If your garden has healthy soil with lots of nutrients, you can also plant your bulbs upright in the ground.)
- Put the alliums down towards the root. The rule of thumb with most deciduous bulbs is to plant them up and down toward the root. But the problem with alliums is that they have no benefit. So what you’ll do is find the roots – the round side (almost like a boiled egg) goes up, and the root side goes down.
- Make sure your lights are spaced at least 6 inches or more apart.
- Cover the hole with soil.
- Put a light layer of mulch on top (optional).
- If rain does not fall in the next day or two after planting the bulb in the ground, add water to the well. Adding your own water ensures you give these guys the best chance of getting started and getting established in the ground before winter arrives.
- Enjoy your beautiful bulbs in the spring!
Why allium?
Besides looking good in the garden, there are a few other reasons I plant allium bulbs year after year.
Most rodents avoid them. One of the reasons I love growing alliums is because they are part of the onion family, and most rodents stay away from these flowers. So when rabbits and deer wander into your spring garden, they will often avoid garlic because they don’t like the taste of onions. This is a great addition.
They look great in a bouquet and have a long vase life. These guys sometimes last 9 or 10 days in the vase, so if you’re a gardener who likes to cut your flowers and turn them into flower arrangements, you’ll have a great vase life.
What type of allium should you grow?
I love giant gladiator alliums – their flower heads are huge. But I also love Purple Sensation Allium. It has a slightly smaller bulb, and is about the size of an allium flower that I use in many of the flower arrangements that go out the door here at Cranberry Fields Flower Farm.
In addition to these two favorites, there are many different types of alliums that come in different shades of purple. Some are brighter, some are more subtle. They also come with different sized heads. I recommend trying a few types and finding the one that suits you!
Consider size when planting
If one variety is larger than the other, plant accordingly. For example, I know that my Gladiator bulbs are much larger and taller than my Purple Sensation bulbs, so I plant Gladiator bulbs in the background and I plant Purple Sensation in the foreground.
