ornamental onion
Allium giganteum
USDA zones5 to 8
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size3 to 5 feet tall18 to 24 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Erect
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Purple
- Foliage color
- Blue, gray/silver, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Ornamental onion (Allium giganteum) is a bulb for borders, cottage gardens, and accents. It is hardy to USDA zone 5, or down to -20°F (-29°C). This plant likes full or part sun and average to moist soil of most types. It blooms in early summer with softball-sized round heads of small lilac purple florets on tall stems. Deer and rabbits tend to pass it by. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers.
Pairs well with Magnus coneflower, Foxglove, and Queen of Night tulip.
Native range
Central and western Asia.