When do I plant alliums please...

shegar

Hello...Ive just bought some allium bulbs,do I wait til September to plant ?........this will be the first time ive ever planted any bulbs, but after seeing them quite a lot on the Chelsea Flower Show I thought yep I rather fancy them for next year.....I know ive got to plant them 4 to 6 inches deep and a sunny border which I have.......thanks.

angelavdavis

Any time August - November I think. I have some allium christophii and purple sensation to plant in my cut flower border at the allotment. I grew some last year and wanted to some more.

I have also collected some seed heads to try growing them from seed in spring next year.

shegar

angelavdavis wrote: »

Any time August - November I think. I have some allium christophii and purple sensation to plant in my cut flower border at the allotment. I grew some last year and wanted to some more.

I have also collected some seed heads to try growing them from seed in spring next year.

Thanks a bunch Angela.............I know they come from the onion family and im very keen to grow some, they looked really lovely on Chelsea on TV, they were also purple sensation and various other varieties......the bulbs I thought were quite expensive at Whyvales Garden Centre 6 @ £3.00:eek:.....good idea to grow some via seed.

Smithills

Alliums will grow from seed, but it will take several years- they have to bulk up from those little black seeds to the bulb you would buy at the garden centre, so don't expect much to happen in the next 2 or 3 years.
It's worth keeping your eyes open at places like B&Q and Wilkinsons, they have the more common varieties (mass impact), and perhaps Parkers online for the more exotic varieties- there are often codes on MSE which are worthwhile.

It's worth pointing out that whilst allium heads are fabulous, the leaves are usually dead tatty by the time the flowers are ready to bloom. A common trick is to plant them in pots, then bury the pot in the gap- or just to plant around the allium and allow the other plant to obscure the grotty leaves.

I love them too- and so do the bees. Good Luck!

angelavdavis

shegar wrote: »

Thanks a bunch Angela.............I know they come from the onion family and im very keen to grow some, they looked really lovely on Chelsea on TV, they were also purple sensation and various other varieties......the bulbs I thought were quite expensive at Whyvales Garden Centre 6 @ £3.00:eek:.....good idea to grow some via seed.

I would have a shop around - I picked some up a little cheaper 6 for £2.49 locally. Sounds like Smithills has come across cheaper on Parkers online too. I am sure Poundland had them at some stage last year but I might be mistaken. I will try to grow from seed anyway - my onions turn out OK from seed!

kazschow

Lidl have allium bulbs in next monday, can't remember the price, but sure to be not bad ;0

kazschow

Lidl have allium bulbs in next monday, can't remember the price, but sure to be not bad ;0

~~Diane~~

I bought a bag in wilkinsons last year for about £4 when they started reducing the summer stock. 4-5 varieties, I can't remember how many but there were loads, Drumheads, Sensation, Christophii, and some tiny ones I don't know the name of. I'll be buying some more this year if they have them.

shegar

Ive found out that alliums need to be planted 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart............found that info in a Dr Hessayon book........and ive got some bulbs now which are Christoffi and purple sensation.....thanks to all who answered my question....:Tlook forward to next spring now as autumn feels its in the air ...........

Rummer

I got some using my Tesco points and I am so excited about seeing them in the garden next year. Never seen them until this year when I passed a front garden filled with them and I fell for their huge and brightly coloured flowers.

shegar

Rummer wrote: »

I got some using my Tesco points and I am so excited about seeing them in the garden next year. Never seen them until this year when I passed a front garden filled with them and I fell for their huge and brightly coloured flowers.

I fell in love with them when I saw them on Chelsea Flower Show this May, at least once you plant them youve got them every year then on........:D