Alliums
Flowering Onions
The large Allium genus is characterized by small six-petaled florets held in umbels—large or small, loose or tight. Sweet-smelling blooms make great fresh cutflowers or dried winter arrangements; only if crushed will they smell like onion. Alliums are deer resistant and prefer full sun and well-drained soil, but can tolerate some shade. Fertilize in early spring to promote leaf and bulb growth. Leaves may die back before or during blooming. All types bloom in late spring to early summer, except where noted.
Alliums
Alliums are heavy feeders and want generous amounts of organic matter, fertilizer and water. Late transplanting and poor fertility can result in small onions or failure to form bulbs. Alliums are notoriously intolerant of weeds. Slugs love to munch them, and in areas above 40° latitude, root maggots may be a problem.
About allium seed: Allium seed is short-lived. We do not hold over hybrid onion seed because of precipitous decreases in germination. Test 1-year-old seed before using. Discard anything older.
Diseases:
DM Downy Mildew
PR Pink Root
ALERT: Leek Moth is emerging as a serious pest potentially affecting all Alliums in the Northeast. Consult your local Cooperative Extension for more info.