Allium plants are garden flowers that deter foraging deer and rodents.
Ornamental onion plants are drought tolerant, a necessary asset in todays flower gardens.
Alliumspecies includechive,garlicand onion plants.
They are used as ornamental flowers or herb plants and are excellent deer and rodent resistant.
Mix ornamental onion plants with other bulbs, like tulips, or in late spring gardens.
To distract deer and rodents away from favored plants, gardeners will grow shortAlliumat theedges of a garden bed.
In this article
Drought Tolerant Xeriscape Plant
At the same time,Alliumis a drought tolerant plant.
Forflower gardensin USDA zones 3 9 there are many varieties from which to choose.
Alliumsare susceptible to root rot when planted in clay soil not amended with organic matter.
The water wise characteristics of a xeriscape garden make it an excellent place to plant allium.
Allium aflatunense
Allium aflatunenseis hardy zones 4 7.
The plant is 3 tall with a darker than expected purple flower, blooming late spring.
Look for Purple Sensation.
#2.
AlliumAtropurpureum
AlliumAtropurpureum hardy in zones 4-9.
This allium plant blooms late spring to early summer on 2-3 high stems with a spread of 10.
The flowers open with reddish wine color but gradually darken to purplish black with age.
#3.
AlliumGladiator
AlliumGladiator hardy from zones 4-9 reaches 40-50 tall.
They bloom late spring to early summer and have a 6 diameter violet blue flower.
#4.
AlliumGlobemaster
AlliumGlobemaster is shorter growing 35-40 tall, blooming in early summer.
This flower is fragrant.
Globemaster is hardy from zones 4-8.
#5.
Allium karatavienseIvory Queen
Allium karatavienseIvory Queen hardy in zones 4-8.
This short plant has broadly ovate blue gray leaves, approximately 3-4 wide and 6-10 long.
The flowers are fragrant pale lavender 6 round clusters and bloom late spring to early summer.
#6.
AlliumSummer Beauty
AlliumSummer Beauty hardy from zones 4-9.
The plant is 18-20 tall and 8 wide.
The shiny dark green narrow leaves turn yellow in fall.
This allium blooms late June to July with purple lavender flowers.
After the flowers are spent the reddish brown stems last into winter.
#7.
AlliumMongolian Gem
AlliumMongolian Gem tolerates slightly colder climates, hardy in zones 3-7.
The lavender pink flowers bloom in late summer.
#8.
Allium schubertii
Allium schubertiihas pink star shaped flowers on a plant 12-16 tall.
It is hardy in zones 3-9.
The dried flower stems provide winter interest.
#9.
Allium caeruleum, Azure allium
Allium caeruleum, Azure allium has grass-like leaves with cornflower colored blooms.
The plant grows to 18 24 tall and flowers are 1-1/2 in diameter.
Mix with other xeriscape plants.
Alliums come in several heights and bloom sizes.
Very tallAlliumslike Globemaster or Gladiator are grown for their extra large flowers.
These are the flowers songbirds will sit on.
In colder climates the leaves can be nipped by unexpected spring frosts.
The A. Mongolian Gem and A.
Summer Beauty are smaller, fuller plants that remind gardeners of flowering chives.Alliumflower gardens will attract butterflies and birds.
