Alliums

This question was asked by
Sandra N – 

Good morning.
I have a corner of my garden that has poor drainage, it’s not boggy but heavy rain seems to sit below the surface and takes a while to drain.
I have been looking at an Alum Lily, as they stand proud, full, and upright this would fill the area. Can you tell me please, would the Alum be right for this part of my garden.
Thanks
Sandra Newson.
Leicester.

Hello there,

It’s great that you’re considering the right plant for your garden conditions.

If by “Alum Lily” you mean Allium (often mistakenly called Alum Lily), then unfortunately, it wouldn’t be the best choice for a poorly drained spot. Alliums—like most bulbs—require free-draining soil, especially in winter. If their bulbs sit in wet ground for too long, they are prone to rot.

If your heart is set on Alliums, you could improve the drainage in that area by:

  • Mounding the planting area or building a raised bed

  • Adding grit or sharp sand to the planting hole

  • Mixing in compost or well-rotted manure to improve structure

Our Alliums will be available from September onwards, you will be able to order them in the Summer months.
You can request to be notified when they are back in stock if you click on the variety you would like:

Alliums

Alliums

Alliums bought in July

This question was asked by
Nigel Whiten

Hi, we were at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show yesterday & bought some Allium bulbs. The bulbs are great but I am wondering how to store them until September or can I plant them into the ground / pots now?

Hi there,
It’s fine to plant your alliums now. If you’re not ready to plant them straight away, you can keep the bulbs in the paper bag somewhere dry and cool until you’re ready to plant them. More information on planting and care instructions can be found on our website.

 

The Hart Family

The best white allium cultivar?

This question was asked by
Jack Wallington

Hello,
Sorry to bother you, I was just wondering which white globe allium you’d recommend as the best one? I’ve seen some advice that says Mount Everest performs better than White Giant but it’s not very clear.
I’m trying to find the whitest flowers that last the longest.
Thank you
Jack

Hi there,

I would recommend White Giant for being taller and stronger and a an-round-better allium.

Allium White Giant (harts1112113)

Allium White Giant

Allium White Giant

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Alliums

This question was asked by
Joanna H

Hi

I am looking for Allium Angulosum Summer Beauty bulbs – I can’t see these on your website. Could you tell me what you have that would be the closest match – I would like to plant them in clusters at the front of the border.

Thanks

Jo

Sorry this isn’t one we stock I’m afraid. The closest we have is Allium Millenium that’s a bulbous root that can be planted in clusters.

Allium Millenium (harts11141)

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Allium Ambassador

This question was asked by
thelma – 

Hi,
My alliums were spectacular! When you say ‘cut back’ – do you mean take the heads off when finished or cut back the stalks as well?. The dead heads look very attractive but I will cut them off if it’s best. The flower heads when in full bloom had a unpleasant scent when up close – is this natural?
Thanks,
Thelma

HI Thelma

Yes Alliums are part of the onion family and will smell similar to an onion unfortunately.

Once the whole allium head and stem turns yellow/brown and hollow, it can be removed completely.

Alliums

Alliums

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Autumn bulbs

This question was asked by
Ruth M

Advice needed
Been given £20 voucher…
I like white and blue alliums… close flowers and a mix of colourful others.

Hi there,
We have a great offer on alliums:

Allium Bulb Collection (Pack of 20 Bulbs) (SKU17627)

Allium Gladiator

Allium Gladiator

But we also have lots of other varieties to choose from with lots of offers available on collections, including tulips, daffodils etc:

AUTUMN PLANTED BULBS

Don’t forget you can use TREAT10 code for 10% off your order! 

Tulip

Tulip Grand Perfection

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Alliums

This question was asked by
Bob D

Looking for a mixed lot containing 5 varieties including Christophii Purple sensation and 3 others choice yours. All same height more or less. Say 180-200 in total. Good size bulbs and best price please. Sussex.

Hi Bob

We have lots of Alliums to choose from, you can see them here:

Alliums

We also have a couple of great Allium Bulb Collections:

Giant Allium Bulb Collection (Pack of 12 Bulbs + 10 FREE Purple Sensation) (SKU17723)

Allium Bulb Collection (Pack of 20 Bulbs) (SKU17627)

buiten 0059

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Allium Gladiator

This question was asked by
Jerry

In 2019 I put down a large number of allium Gladiator, they bloomed in 2020 but nothing at all this year. Also have two large pots in which I had a mix of smaller allium and almost all have disappeared, I wonder why please?

Hi Jerry

It could be a number of factors…How did you care for them after the alliums had finished flowering? Did you remove the flower heads and leave the stems and foliage to die back to feed the bulb so it flowers the following year? Have you checked to see if the bulbs are still there and intact? Do you have drainage holes in your pots – they may have got too wet and rotted away.

Alliums

Allium  Gladiator

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How big a pot for Allium Globemaster?

This question was asked by
Graham –

Hi just received my order of Allium Globemaster just wondering if they can be planted in pots if so what size would the pot have to be for 3 bulbs
Cheers Graham

HI Graham

Yes they can be planted in pots – ensure there is plenty of drainage, I would suggest planting 3 Allium Globemaster bulbs in a 18″ patio type pot.

Allium Globemaster (Pack of 3 Bulbs) (harts1111)

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How many tulip bulbs for a 5x5ft bed?

This question was asked by
Susan –

I have a raised bed 5ft by 5ft .l would like to plant tulips in the bed for the Spring. How many bulbs do I need to fill the space?

Hi Susan

It really depends on how packed you would like the bed. For a fuller display, I would recommend planting 100-150 tulip bulbs for this area.

The Hart Family