Ornamental Onion Allium hollandicum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Ornamental Onion:
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-ee-um hol-LAN-dih-kum
- Description
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This ornamental onion is native to Iran and Kyrgyzstan and is a bulbous perennial characterized by its showy violet flowers. The flowers bloom from May to June with 4-inch clusters of star-shaped flowers that attract butterflies. It is drought tolerant during the summer but needs some moisture during the growing season. Best blooming is in full sun.
This low maintenance accent plant is best grown in moist to dry soils in full sun to partial shade. Plant in fall to add color to a mixed border, cottage garden, or butterfly garden in the spring. It needs well-drained soils to prevent bulb rot.
Pests, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: Overly damp conditions leave ornamental onions prone to fungal issues, including bulb rot, rust, and mildew. Leaf spots and thrips are also common threats to ornamental onions.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Purple Sensation'
Most popular cultivar with deep violet flowers. 2'-3' tall.
- 'Purple Sensation'
- 'Purple Sensation'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Purple Sensation'
Most popular cultivar with deep violet flowers. 2'-3' tall.
- 'Purple Sensation'
- 'Purple Sensation'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Allium
- Species:
- hollandicum
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Iran and Kyrgyzstan
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies. Deer and rabbit resistant.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- 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
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The showy violet flowers bloom from May to June in a 4-5 inch wide round cluster. Small individual flowers are 6-petaled and star-shaped.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- 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:
- Stap-like green leaves are up to 2 feet long and 1-2 inches wide in a basal rosette.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Sturdy 2 foot green stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Rabbits
