SEPTEMBER EXTRA 2019 birdsandblooms.com 11
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1 Globemaster
ALLIUM ‘GLOBEMASTER’,
ZONES 4 TO 8
A hybrid cross between
two species, Globemaster
is considered one of the
best and most beloved of
the tall spring-blooming
types. Purple spheres
covered with hundreds
of individual florets grow
8 to 10 inches wide, and
look fabulous in a vase.
Look for bigger bulbs for
larger flowers.
Why we love it: The
sturdy 2- to 3-foot stems
add vertical interest, and
stand up to wind and rain.2
2 Ambassador
ALLIUM ‘AMBASSADOR’,
ZONES 4 TO 8
Many spring-blooming
alliums bear similar mug
shots, but they all behave
differently. Ambassador
is one of the tallest, at 3
to 4 feet, with 7-inch, rich
purple globes. Plant a few
varieties of alliums that
bloom in succession for
continual blooms. Foliage
tips tend to turn brown
before the flowers open.
Why we love it: It
attracts bees and other
pollinators during its long
five-week bloom period.4
ALLIUM ADVICE Plant bulbous alliums in falltogivethemaperiodofcolddormancy
before blooming in spring. Grow them in groupings,spacingasadvisedbytheplant
tag, and near other perennials that can takeoveraftertheplantsdieback.
1, 2: WHITEFLOWERFARM.COM; 3: LONGFIELDGARDENS.COM; 4: COURTESY OF PROVEN WINNERS - PROVENWINNERS.COM
3 Persian shallot
ALLIUM STIPITATUM ‘WHITE GIANT’, ‘MOUNT EVEREST’,
ZONES 4 TO 8
For white counterparts that look stunning planted
near the tall purple spring-blooming types, check out
White Giant, which grows 3 to 4 feet tall with 6- to
8-inch-wide flower clusters, or Mount Everest, with
36-inch-tall stems with 4-inch-wide blooms.
Why we love it: Bright white bloom clusters resemble
fluffy snowballs on stems. Use these beauties to add a
whimsical twist to arrangements.4 Millenium
ALLIUM ‘MILLENIUM’, ZONES 4 TO 8
This midsummer bloomer grows in
clumps with a fibrous root system
that can be divided. Its rosy purple
globes are just 2 inches wide, and its
low stature makes it easy to tuck into
almost any garden. Shiny green flat
leaves look tidy even when the plant
isn’t in bloom.
Why we love it: This award winner
was dubbed 2018 Perennial Plant of the
Year by the Perennial Plant Association.Mount
Everest