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Planting and caring for an allium in the open field are completely uncomplicated activities. This original ornamental plant is very unpretentious and almost does not need the attention of a gardener. Bright, textured, fluffy-looking balls on graceful but strong stems usually bloom in late spring, although there are species that bloom later. In the beds and flower beds, generously flooded with sunlight, allium feels great, growing magnificently and acquiring a rich, juicy color. Admiring the lush colorful "pom-poms" of inflorescences proudly towering over low bushes and grasses can usually take a long time - a month and a half. And after the allium has faded, its dried balls can be an excellent element of winter bouquets of dry plants. If you take into account the basic simple needs of a decorative bow, organizing planting and further care for it, then it will certainly show itself in the garden in all its intricate and unusual beauty.
Description of decorative bow
In the broadest sense of the word "allium" is the name of the genus of herbaceous plants, which is part of the Amaryllis family. The term itself comes from the Latin name for garlic (allium) - one of the species that make up this genus.
In a narrower sense, allium is often called decorative types of onions, as a rule, perennial or biennial rhizome bulbous herbs. They are valued primarily for their beautiful spherical inflorescences that look smart in garden design.
The stem of an ornamental onion is straight and rigid, thickened, as if swollen, its height varies in a wide range from 15 cm to 1.5 m
Allium root is a large bulb shaped like a flattened ball. Usually it is covered with multiple shells (scales) of white, red-brown or purple color.
In accordance with the length of the peduncle, the decorative bow is divided into:
- low - less than 40 cm;
- medium-sized - from 40 to 80 cm;
- high - all those that are above 80 cm.
Description of allium leaves and flowers
The leaves of this plant are fistulous, basal, elongated - belt-like or linear. At the flowering stage or immediately after it ends, they tend to dry out, die off and look unpresentable. However, they should not be cut off, they are necessary for the allium bulb to successfully accumulate a supply of nutrients for the winter.Using a decorative onion in your garden design, it is best to choose a place for planting them so that you can hide the lower part of the bush behind leaves or bright buds of other, short plants.
Allium flowers are small, numerous. They are united in umbellate, loose inflorescences with elongated pedicels. In most types of decorative onions, they are small, but in some they can reach 30-40 cm in diameter. The color palette of the "balls" is varied: from pale green, blue, lilac, violet to crimson, pink and snow-white tones. Many species of allium have albino forms.
The flowering period of ornamental onions usually lasts 40-50 days.
By the time of its beginning, alliums are divided into:
- early, blooming in mid-May and early June;
- medium flowering times, blooming in mid-June and mid-August;
- late, blooming from mid-August to the onset of cold weather.
Ornamental onions bear fruit in August-September. The seeds are small, angular or round.
The appearance of some representatives of the Allium genus is very unusual, for example, like the hybrid Spider variety.
Is it possible to eat a decorative bow
All types of ornamental onions are believed to be edible. You cannot be poisoned by them, however, when eating, you should adhere to the same restrictions as in the case of the usual onions and garlic. Allium dishes are contraindicated for those who suffer from gastritis, pancreatitis, intestinal colic, stomach ulcers.
Types and varieties of decorative onions with a photo
The variety of sizes, shapes and colors of alliums is impressive. Photos and names of the most popular types and varieties of decorative onions will be useful for selecting the most suitable for decorating a personal plot, creating a flower bed or flower garden.
Decorative bow blue
Blue onion, or royal blue (Latin Allium caeruleum), is one of the most beautiful types of decorative allium. In the countries of Western Europe, it has long been widespread as a garden plant, while in Russia it is still not so popular.
In nature, blue onions can be found in southeastern Europe, southern Siberia and Central Asia. The favorite habitats of this type of allium are the mountain slopes strewn with rubble and alkaline meadows in the foothills. It is extremely photophilous and does not tolerate waterlogging.
Blue onions usually grow by the end of April. The height of its stems is about 80-100 cm, the diameter of the spherical inflorescences is up to 7 cm. The small flowers of this allium resemble wide bells of a characteristic dark blue color. Each inflorescence combines from 200 to 250 pieces.
Flowering occurs in May-June and lasts approximately 20-25 days.
Blue onion is otherwise called royal
Decorative giant bow
Allium giant (lat.Allium giganteum) boasts the largest inflorescences of all types of ornamental onions. In the wild, it can be found in the subtropics of Iran and southern Central Asia, under the shade of pistachio and walnut forests, as well as in the mountains.
The height of the peduncles of the giant allium reaches 120-150 cm, and the diameter of the dense inflorescences, consisting of lilac-purple flowers, is up to 30 cm.The leaves are green or bluish-green in color, the plates are long, belt-like, up to 10 cm wide.
Flowering occurs in mid-May or early June, lasting about 30 days.
Giant allium balls sometimes reach 30 cm in diameter
Allium roundhead
The decorative round-headed onion, or ball-headed (Latin Allium sphaerocephalon), is widespread throughout Europe, in the north of Asia and in West Africa. This type of allium is most often found in the steppe and hilly areas.
Its arrows reach a height of 40-60 cm.The inflorescences resemble loose cones, combining small flowers of pink, purple or burgundy-red shades. They have a pleasant aroma and attract bees.
Flowering lasts 2-3 weeks. It begins in late spring.
Fragrant flowers of allium round-headed are loved by pollinating insects
Allium bulgarian
Allium bulgaricum (lat.Allium bulgaricum) is one of the most unusual and valuable types of decorative onions. In the wild, it grows in the west of the European continent.
The height of the bush of this allium can reach 80-110 cm. The original inflorescences, similar to shuttlecocks for playing badminton, combine 20-30 flowers in the form of bells. Their petals are painted in burgundy or light pink with a delicate white border along the edge.
Allium bulgarian blooms in early summer.
Bulgarian onion flowers resemble miniature bells
Allium neapolitanum
The decorative Neapolitan onion (lat.Allium neapolitanum) is also called forest garlic, white garlic or the Star of Bethlehem.
It can be found growing in the plains of North Africa and the European Mediterranean, as well as in Asia Minor. It is low - only 25-35 cm. The flowers are broadly bell-shaped, snow-white or pink, with yellow anthers. They are united in flat or slightly convex umbellate inflorescences up to 25 pcs. in everyone.
You can admire the blooming of the Neapolitan allium in June.
The delicate beauty of the Neapolitan bow is revealed in June
Allium Schubert
Schubert's onion (Latin Allium Schubertii) is found naturally in Western Asia, on mountain slopes covered with rubble and sand. This is a stunted species of allium up to 30 cm tall. It is distinguished by an inflorescence of an unusual shape, reminiscent of a volley of fireworks. Each of the purple flowers is formed from 5 cm carpels and stamens up to 20 cm long. As a result, the volume of "asteroid" inflorescences often reaches 40 cm.
Flowering begins in June and lasts more than 15 days.
Unusual inflorescences of Schubert onions resemble a volley of fireworks
Allium Christoph
The habitat of the decorative bow of Christophe, or Christoph (Latin Allium Сhristophii), in the wild are the mountainous regions of Turkmenistan, northern Iran and the center of Turkey.
Each of the inflorescences of this allium unites about 100 star-shaped flowers. Umbrella diameter up to 20 cm, color - pink-purple, with a metallic sheen. The length of straight, ribbed stems is 50-70 cm.
Flowering occurs in June. This type of allium is ideal for cutting.
Allium Christoph's stars look charming when cut
Unifolium
Miniature decorative single-leafed onion (Latin Allium unifolium) is also called American garlic. Its homeland is the coastal mountainous regions of North America.
The shoots of the allium Unifolium stretch upward by only 20-25 cm.The inflorescences are not spherical, but rather look like loose umbrellas about 15 cm wide.Unusual flowers of this allium will help to present a photo: they are bright pink, less often white, up to 2 cm in size. They can be seen in early to mid-May.
Allium Unifolium inflorescences in shape do not resemble a sphere, but an umbrella
Mole
Allium moly onions are also known as golden onions, golden garlic or lily onions. In nature, it can be found in Spain and the south of France.
Allium Moll's umbrellas are usually flat or hemispherical, small (up to 7 cm in diameter). They consist of relatively large, star-shaped flowers of a bright yellow color with a greenish tint. The latter appear in May-June and remain at the peak of decorativeness for 2-3 weeks.
Allium Mola will help you recognize bright yellow flowers
Globemaster Ornamental Bow
The heroic growth of the handsome Globemaster allows him to be considered one of the largest representatives of the Allium clan.This is a hybrid obtained by crossing two types of ornamental onions - McLean and Christophe.
Each ball of this allium, about 20 cm in diameter, consists of more than 1500 purple-purple flowers. They bloom in early summer and last until early autumn. The height of the peduncles reaches 90 cm. They are durable and extremely well tolerated in adverse conditions - wind or heavy rain.
A tall hybrid Globemaster obtained by crossing the alliums of McLean and Christoph
Decorative bow Purpl Senseishen
A hybrid of the Aflatun onion (Latin Allium aflatunense) Purple Sensation, or Purple Sensation, lives up to its name. Its dark purple globular inflorescences reach 12 cm in diameter. The height of the dense, slightly ribbed stems of this decorative allium is about 70 (there is information that 120-150) cm. The basal leaves have a linear shape and are painted in a salad color.
You can observe the flowering of the allium Purple Senseishen in May-June. During this period, the whole plant exudes a light onion smell.
Purpl Senseishen is one of the most famous ornamental onions
Ivory Queen
The ornamental allium variety Ivory Queen (Ivory Queen, Ivory Queen) is considered a karatavian onion (lat.Allium karataviense), the name of which, in turn, comes from the Karatau mountain range in the southern part of Kazakhstan.
It is distinguished by a low peduncle, as a rule, not exceeding 20 cm, and fluffy balls of 10 cm inflorescences, painted in ivory. The leaves of this allium are wide, lingual in shape. After flowering, which lasts from the end of May for about a month, they remain green and fresh, so Ivory Queen's onions can be safely planted in the foreground in a landscape composition. Another characteristic feature of this alium is its pleasant aroma.
Ivory Queen's delicate flowers are ivory-colored
Gladiator
The giant onion hybrid under the sonorous name Gladiator is known in ornamental gardening for very large inflorescences, their diameter is 20-25 cm. Its flowers resemble small 6-petal purple stars. Impressive flower stalks can grow up to 125-140 cm in height. Among the strengths of the decorative Gladiator bow is its high resistance to diseases and pests.
This hybrid allium is also often used as an edible plant: its leaves have a pleasant taste and a strong garlic aroma. Its flowering period is from May to July.
Handsome Gladiator is famous for his high growth and large inflorescences
White Cloud
Allium White Cloud, which means "White Cloud" in English, is a hybrid of grape onion (Latin Allium ampeloprasum) of Dutch origin. It is also popularly known as summer leek or field garlic. As a rule, the arrows of this allium grow up to 0.8-1 m in height. Its globular inflorescences are very dense, consisting of many snow-white flowers with a pink tint. The diameter of each umbrella is 6-8 cm.
The White Cloud ornamental onion blooms from May to June. He prefers sunny places, but grows well in partial shade.
The lush heads of Allium White Cloud really look like snow-white clouds
Decorative bow in landscape design
Blooming alliums are unusual, vibrant plants that can endow any open area with an original, truly magical flavor.
The ideas for using decorative bows in landscape design will be illustrated by the selection of photos below.
The most obvious and simple thought is to equip an allarium, that is, an onion garden that combines different types and varieties of this plant
All kinds of stones are excellent companions for allium.
High varieties of ornamental onions perform well in mixborders, in the foreground of which low or medium-sized perennials with beautiful foliage grow
Low alliums look beautiful in the form of bright colored islands planted against the background of green shrubs or ornamental grasses
The combination of volumetric inflorescences of decorative onions with strict geometric shapes looks very picturesque.
If you plant allium tightly, 50-70 bulbs per 1 sq. m., then during its flowering it will be possible to admire the thick and colorful carpet
It is considered traditional to combine decorative onions with plants that bloom with it at the same time.
Even the simplest bouquet of cut allium flowers looks inimitable
Allium breeding methods
Growing a decorative onion in your own garden is not a difficult task. It can be multiplied in different ways, it is enough to choose the one that will be the most acceptable and convenient in a particular case.
Bulbs
Very often, gardeners practice the propagation of ornamental onions by dividing its overgrown bulbs. The mother plant must be at least 3 years old. "Children" that have grown on the bottom of the allium bulb should be separated very carefully, carefully so as not to damage them. Each delenka should have a well-formed root system, as well as shoots.
The larger the size of the daughter bulb is, the faster the plant will have flowers, the larger the balls of the inflorescences, and the higher the stems. All varietal and specific characteristics will remain in full.
In areas located in the temperate climate zone, it is advised to dig up the bulbs of many types of allium (Christoph, Schubert, etc.) after the end of the growing season, at the end of June. The green mass of the plant should be completely dry by this time. They should be stored in a dry place with fresh air until autumn, and then planted again in the ground. If the summer in the region is hot and dry enough, with a minimum of rain, then you can leave the allium bulbs in one place for several years. However, it should be remembered that they will gradually grow, forming clusters of "children", which, in turn, will also give shoots, and the bushes of ornamental onions, when thickened, bloom finely and not very abundantly. In this regard, the optimal frequency of allium transplantation to a new place is once every 4-5 years.
Bulb
Bulbules are small airy bulbs that form on the inflorescences of many (but not all) allium species. They are treated with a growth stimulant and then planted in the ground.
The characteristics of the plants obtained in this way retain all the characteristics of the parent variety or species. Some of them (in particular, blue allium) begin to bloom the next year.
Bulbules - small bulbs that form directly on the inflorescences
Seeds
Ornamental onion seeds are usually harvested from the very first, large and beautiful "balls", waiting for them to completely bloom.
They are sown directly into open ground in autumn or spring. In the latter case, it will be necessary to carry out stratification by keeping the allium seed in a bag with moist soil on the vegetable shelf of the refrigerator for a couple of months.
It is best to allocate a separate, small and well-lit garden bed for allium crops. Shallow grooves are dug in it, into which seeds are laid, sprinkled with earth, slightly moistened, mineral fertilizers are applied in 1/2 dose. In the first year of life, small onions will grow from them, about the size of a nail. In order to gain strength, they will need at least 3 years.
This method, unfortunately, has several disadvantages:
- allium seeds have low germination;
- artificial stratification of seed is not always successful, it may simply not germinate;
- flowering of such an allium occurs relatively late, as a rule, after 3-6 years, when the bulb is sufficiently grown;
- plants often do not retain varietal characteristics, the flowers are paler and smaller, the stems are lower, etc.
If the environmental conditions are ideal for ornamental bows, it can self-seed successfully.
How to plant a decorative bow
The simplest and most commonly used method of reproduction of allium involves planting bulbs on a bed, separated from the underground shoots of an adult plant. It is worth understanding in more detail how exactly a decorative onion should be planted in this way.
When to plant allium
The optimal time of the year for planting an allium in the ground directly depends on the characteristics of its type:
- early flowering onions, as a rule, are dropped in the beds in early autumn, in September, allowing the plant to grow stronger and take root before spring;
- for late-flowering alliums, the ideal planting time is usually spring (April-May).
Seeds should be collected only from those inflorescences that have managed to completely bloom.
Site selection and preparation
The site that is best suited for decorative bows is characterized by the following signs:
- well lit;
- with loose, neutral, nutritious, drained soil;
- groundwater does not occur close to the surface of the earth.
In the fall, preparing the bed for planting ornamental onions, you should dig it up by adding humus or nitrogen fertilizers to the soil.
The mineral composition of the soil must contain a sufficient amount of potassium, otherwise allium will develop poorly. If this element is not enough, wood ash can be added to the soil.
To prevent rotting of the bulbs in the soil, it is recommended to close up a little river sand.
Landing algorithm
The procedure for planting an allium in open ground is as follows:
- On the site, holes are prepared at a distance of 30-50 cm from each other. The larger the size of the plant of a given variety or species, the greater the distance between the bushes should be. The depth of one hole is equal to three sizes of the bulb that is planned to be planted in it.
- Moisten the wells with warm, settled water.
- Carefully place in the pits of the bulb with the pointed end up;
- Sprinkle them with earth, but do not tamp them.
- Water the soil again.
- Mulch it with peat or humus.
How to grow decorative onions
Allium is easy to care for, it is not capricious and does not require excessive care. However, decorative bows also have certain preferences.
Watering and feeding schedule
Allium should be watered during the growing season and flowering only if there is a clear lack of moisture in the soil. If summers are too dry, do this more often. If the weather is rainy, watering allium is permissible only when the soil is completely dry. In any case, it is better to dry the soil a little at the roots than to cause it to become waterlogged and stagnate. The latter is fraught with rotting of the bulbs and, as a result, the death of the entire plant.
Ornamental onions are fed at certain periods of its development:
- In the spring, when the green mass is actively growing, buds and bulbs are formed, it is advisable to use nitrogen-containing compounds that stimulate these processes.
- In the summer, liquid fertilizing with a complex mineral fertilizer dissolved in water will be useful.
- In the fall, on the eve of preparation for winter, it is best to put potash and phosphorus fertilizers into the soil in a dry form in the soil.
The planting depth of an allium bulb corresponds to three of its sizes
Weeding and loosening
Gentle loosening of the soil at the roots is a mandatory measure of allium care. This helps to ensure the saturation of the soil with oxygen and to avoid stagnant water. It is recommended to loosen the soil after watering and heavy rains, combining this procedure with weeding out weeds from the beds.
Preparing for winter
Most types and varieties of ornamental onions have good frost resistance.Nevertheless, in the fall, you should definitely mulch the garden with allium peat or spruce branches, especially if the winters in the region are usually harsh.
It is worth knowing that among the most thermophilic species of allium are the Karatavian, Sicilian onions and such hybrids as Millenium, Globemaster. The most winter-hardy are allium Moli, round-headed, triangular, a hybrid of the Aflatunian Purple Sensation onion and the Mount Everest stem onion.
Diseases and pests
Among the most common diseases and pests of allium are:
- Peronosporosis, or downy mildew. This disease often arises from an excess of moisture in the air or in the soil and manifests itself as a grayish coating on the surface of allium leaves, which begin to deform and dry out quickly. The fungus spreads rapidly throughout the planting. If measures are not taken in time, the plants will weaken, and the bulbs will begin to rot. In the case of the initial stage of peronosporosis, the establishment of the correct irrigation regime, along with the treatment of allium greens with infusion of dandelion or nettle leaves, can help. If you have to use chemicals, Ridomil-Gold and its analogues will be effective.
In case of peronosporosis, the leaves are covered with a grayish bloom, and they are deformed
- Root tick. Its presence is determined by deformed allium leaves and the appearance of a white bloom on them. As a result of the vital activity of the parasite, the plant rapidly loses moisture, turns yellow and becomes covered with spots, which after a short time become moldy. Bulbs and rhizomes of infected allium are removed from the soil, cleaned of soil and disinfected with natural or chemical means. Among the first can be called an infusion of cloves of garlic, cyclamen root, potassium permanganate or soap solution. Systemic insecticides are used as potent agents - Neoron, Actellik, Apollo.
Bulbs damaged by root mites must be disinfected
- Onion fly. This pest lays eggs on the surface of the bulbs, and the larvae, after hatching, penetrate and eat them. External manifestations of the activity of an onion fly can be increased fragility, dryness and rapid wilting of leaves, yellowing of their tips, an unpleasant smell of a bulb that is rotting. Among the popular methods for destroying the parasite is the distribution of naphthalene powder, pine needles, tobacco dust, and wood ash over the bed. Effective insecticides used against onion flies are Imidacloprid, Cypermethrin, Diazinon. Prevention is disinfection of allium bulbs before planting, digging and mulching of the soil.
Onion fly larvae eat the allium bulb from the inside
Conclusion
Planting and caring for allium in the open field is a set of simple measures that allow you to grow a bright and unusual ornamental plant in your area, which can often also be used for food. Lush balls of decorative onions will undoubtedly decorate any garden bed and become the "highlight" of the most intricate flower garden. Allium is unpretentious, blooms for a long time and beautifully, tolerates winters well. Acquaintance with the variety of its species and varieties, differing in size, appearance of bushes, color and shape of inflorescences, will delight aesthetic gardeners who love interesting and beautiful combinations of tones, and many of them will probably be encouraged to organize an allaria on the site - a small onion garden.
