Gardenlore’s Alliums in 2023

Allium bulgaricum

Below is our palette of ornamental alliums which we’re selling this autumn. All of these will be available as bulbs, ready to be planted either in the fall or next spring when the frost has passed.

Alliums (along with narcissus and fritillarias) are in the special group of spring flowering bulbs which are truly deer proof – they all produce compounds that are toxic to deer. Alliums in particular produce organic sulfur compounds which give them their characteristic pungent smell and flavour, and which are toxic. Wondering why we love them so much? Luckily for us, we humans alone – amongst all mammals – have developed digestive enzymes to break these flavourful compounds down into their harmless constituent parts. The alliums we’re selling here are grown and selected for their beauty rather than their flavour – they are all technically edible, but aren’t really worth the trouble or cost compared to their much more nicely flavoured cousins such as the onions and garlics and leeks.

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Allium azureum
1.5″ diameter true blue blooms. Deer resistant. Pollinator Friendly. Fragrant. Butterfly attractor. Rabbit resistant. Good cut flower. Drought Tolerant. 24″ tall.
10 / $5.50
Allium amplectens ‘Graceful Beauty’
Unique flower form, similar to A. bulgaricum. Bee magnet. 3″ globe of pristine white flowers tinged with pink, which are larger than the typical allium. Fragrant. Deer resistant. Pollinator friendly. Butterfly attractor. Rabbit resistant. Drought tolerant. 16″ tall.
5 / $5.00
Allium Bulgaricum, aka Nectaroscordum
Unusual and prized delicate flowers have cream & maroon nodding bells. Fragrant. Deer resistant. Pollinator friendly. Rabbit resistant. Drought tolerant. 24-36″ tall.
5 / $5.50
Allium Giganteum
Massive 8″ deep mauve balls of tiny flowers. Fragrant. Deer resistant. Pollinator friendly. Butterfly attractor. Rabbit resistant. Drought tolerant. 48″ (5 feet) tall.
$8.50 ea.
Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’
RHS AGM Winner. 6″ bright purple balls that the bees can’t get enough ofFragrant. Deer resistant. Pollinator friendly. Butterfly attractor. Rabbit resistant. Drought tolerant. 36″ tall.
5 / $5.50
Allium neopolitanum
Also known as Naples Garlic, A. neopolitanum is a beautiful, profusely-flowering ornamental onion with sweetly-scented clusters of white, star-shaped flowers forming umbels up to 3-4” wide atop narrow green leaves. Blooming in late spring-early summer, this spectacular allium enjoys long lasting blooms and remains in the garden well into summer. Excellent cut flowers. 10-12”.
10 / $3.50
Allium schubertii
This award-winning Allium is grown for its unique and attractive display of loose, star-shaped, rose-purple flowers that bloom in giant, spherical umbels, up to 10-12” wide, in late spring-early summer. They rise atop clumps of strap-shaped, blue-green leaves that wither as the flowers begin to bloom. This spectacular Allium enjoys long lasting blooms and remains in the garden well into summer. Seed heads dry after bloom and can be left for ornamental purposes, or picked for flower arrangements. This beauty naturalizes easily, and slowly spreads over time. Both leaves and bulbs exude an onion scent when cut or bruised. 12-24”
3 / $8.50
Allium Sphaerocephalon (Drumstick Allium)
The Drumstick Allium (Allium sphaerocephalon) is a lovely addition to the early summer garden where it adds interest and movement with its dense, egg-shaped flower heads which delicately turn from green to wine coloured as they mature. Fragrant. Deer resistant. Pollinator friendly. Butterfly attractor. Rabbit resistant. Drought tolerant. 24-30”.
10 / $3.50
Allium “Hair”
Alliums come in all shapes and sizes and these dramatic blooms with deep plum centers explode with long, lime green hair-like petals, making an impressive statement in the garden, or when cut. With a vase life of 20 days or more, they make excellent and unique fillers in bouquets. 30”.
10 / $6.00
Allium cristophii (Star of Persia)
This elegant award winner features star-shaped silvery purple flowers forming a large globe-shaped cluster, 8” wide, atop narrow leaves. Long-lasting blooms keep their beautiful form when dried, looking wonderful in the garden, or in dried bouquets. Excellent cut flower and will naturalize beautifully, coming back year after year. Easily grown in any well-drained soil type in full sun. 16”
5 / $5.50
Allium ‘White Giant’
One of the tallest white Alliums, ‘White Giant’ features huge globes, 6-8” wide, densely packed with hundreds of snow-white flowers adorned with emerald green eyes. Borne atop sturdy strong stems in late spring to early summer, this very architectural beauty often keeps its seedheads intact to provide winter interest. 36-48”
3 / $12.00
Allium schubertii ‘Arctic Snow’
This white version of A. schubertii, has airy, 12”-wide umbels of greenish-ivory buds that open white with green stripes and centers. The bright green stems of unequal lengths give it the look of fireworks. When the seeds ripen, the inflorescence detaches from the stem and rolls through the fields like a tumbleweed thus dispersing the seeds. 12-24”
5 / $8.50
Allium ‘Party Balloons’
The distinctive clusters of huge lavender spheres up to 8” across bear a striking resemblance to colourful balloons, infusing a sense of whimsical delight into the garden. Sturdy stems and enduring blossoms make this an excellent choice for long-lasting cut flower arrangements. Adding to its allure, and very unusually for an allium, mature bulbs can produce 2-3 globes from a single bulb…truly embodying the spirit of being the life of the party. 24”
$7.50 each
Allium ‘Yellow Fantasy’
Allium chloranthium. Like cascading fireworks, elegant umbels of sunny yellow and chartreuse florets gently nod to form loose orbs atop straight stems. This delightful fireworks effect is long-lasting and a cheery addition to the late spring garden. Alliums are elegant yet rugged, their colour and interesting flower forms create a garden design with texture and depth. 20-22”
5 / $6.50

Learn more about alliums