Add Dramatic Flair to Your Garden With Alliums

Rebecca's Garden : Episode REB-607 -- More Projects »
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Alliums have large blooms, so leave enough space in between bulbs when planting.

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This white variety of allium is shorter than most and has broad leaves.
A member of the onion family, these unusual globe-shaped flowers add dramatic flair to any garden. There are many different varieties that bloom May through June. Since they are spring bulbs, they must be planted in the fall.

Start by digging a hole, three to four times the diameter of the bulb. Place the bulb in the hole with the pointed end up. Because they're so small, they will grow 10 to 14 inches tall.

It's good to plant alliums in masses, perhaps in the front of your flower border. To plant in a cluster, place the bulbs in a hole, making sure they don't touch each other. Add some bulb food before filling in the hole. For medium and larger bulbs, dig the hole about eight inches deep and be sure to give the bulbs some space. They need room to grow so they can produce blooms that are ten inches across. Now just water them and wait for the blooms.