Giant Allium (Allium giganteum)

common name:

Giant Allium, Ornamental Onion

scientific name:

Allium

giganteum

Giant Allium (Allium giganteum) produces striking spherical clusters of star-shaped purple flowers that rise above surrounding foliage and attract a variety of pollinators. Photo taken at the Kimmel Education and Research Center in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

Image Creadit:

Trey Lamkins, Graduate Research Assistant

Giant Allium (Allium giganteum) is a dramatic ornamental bulb prized for its towering flower stalks and large, globe-shaped clusters of hundreds of star-shaped purple flowers. Blooming in late spring to early summer, the flower heads can reach 4 to 6 inches in diameter and rise 3 to 5 feet above the landscape, creating a bold architectural statement. Native to Central Asia, Giant Allium performs best in full sun and well-drained soils and becomes drought tolerant once established.

Charecteristics

Plant type:

Bulb

Hardiness Zones:

4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7, 8

Light Needs:

Full Sun

Water Needs:

Moist

Space Requirements:

12 inches – 3 feet

Height Requirements:

2–4 feet

Spread Requirements:

1–2 feet

Maintenance Requirements:

Low

Bloom Color:

Lavender

Purple

Bloom Time:

Spring

Leaf Color:

Green

Wildlife Attraction:

Butterflies

Companion Plant Tolerance:

Rabbit

Deer

Drought

Uses:

Ground Cover

Naturalize

Rain Garden

Varieties

'Globemaster'

One of the most popular ornamental alliums, 'Globemaster' produces enormous violet-purple flower heads up to 10 inches across on sturdy stems. It blooms for an extended period and is highly valued as a focal point in perennial gardens.