Allium aflatunense
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-ee-um ah-flat-oo-NEN-say
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Ornamental onion is a flowering bulb in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) native to central Asia.
Plant the bulbs 4-6 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart in well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade in the fall for spring blooms. They are drought tolerant during the summer but appreciate some moisture when blooming. These plants don't like competition, so don't crowd them with other plants.
The large clusters of lavender flowers occur in May, lasting 2 to 3 weeks on 30 to 60 inch tall leafless stems. The basal leaves are strap-like and up to 15 inches long. They bloom when the daffodils and tulips are done but before the perennials get started.
Use the ornamental onion in groups or borders in cottage, cutting, drought tolerant or rock gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fusarium basal rot, rust, purple blotch and onion yellow dwarf virus are potential diseases. Bulb mites, aphids and allium leafminer are potential insects.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for the "Plant Identification and Use" courses developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Purple Sensation'
Large clusters of purple flowers
- 'Purple Sensation'
- 'Purple Sensation'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Purple Sensation'
Large clusters of purple flowers
- 'Purple Sensation'
- 'Purple Sensation'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Allium
- Species:
- aflatunense
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Edibility:
- Not normally used for food but is potentially edible as is most in this Genus
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Purple flowers are small, 6-parted, in a cluster at the top of a 30 to 60-inch naked stem. The cluster is 4-5 inches across and last 2-3 weeks in May with a garlic or onion aroma, good cut flower.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Basal strap-like leaves are green and up to 15 inches long
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Hollow and slightly ribbed green leafless scapes (stems).
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Weedy
