You’ve probably seen them around Kodiak in late June—tall stems topped with big, round clusters of star-shaped flowers, mostly in purple.

These pompoms are ornamental alliums, sometimes called ornamental garlic or onions. They're actually cousins to the garlic and onions we cook with. They bloom from mid to late-June, depending on your micro-climate.

[Note to reader: This column was originally published in the Kodiak Daily Mirror on July 28, 2025]

If you suffer from AE (allium envy) and want to plant them in your garden, you’ll have to order the bulbs now for fall planting.

What Are Ornamental Alliums and Why Gardeners Love 'Em

Allium is a huge plant family with tons of varieties: garlic, onions, scallions, and leeks all belong to this family. But these ornamental alliums are real showstoppers.

Most ornamental alliums have six petal-like tepals that create a globe of flowers. Their height can range from just five inches all the way to four feet.

And what's fun is that they come in all shades of purple—sometimes even with a metallic sheen. Some varieties even have white flowers. (Think snowballs on a stick!)

The shorter varieties top off at about 12 inches, which makes me think they'd be fun to try in containers, mixed with pansies, violas, and lobelia.

Benefits of Growing Ornamental Alliums in Your Garden

Once planted, these flowers are pretty easy to care for.
They’re pollinator-friendly: Bees, syrphid flies, and other pollinators love them!

Alliums are some of the last bulbs to bloom. They grow a rosette of broad, pointed leaves in the spring, with the flowers showing up in early summer—just as the leaves start to turn brownish-yellow. This makes them perfect for planting in the back of a raised bed or in the middle of medium-height perennials.

If all grows well, the bulb naturalizes (divides) over time, which means more flowers for you each year.

And the fun doesn’t stop after they’ve bloomed. Once the flowers fade, the dried stems create a cool geodesic dome (assuming they didn’t get blown apart by the wind!) effect that sticks around through fall. You can even dry them for unique arrangements.

I’ve even heard of one gardener who spray-painted the dried flowers purple—maybe to hold onto that summer glow a little longer?

How to Grow Alliums

Plant your allium bulbs the same time as your daffodils, tulips, or crocuses—in September for flowers next spring.

Here’s a quick checklist to keep in mind when planting:

Plant in fall: Best time to get those bulbs in the ground is September to early October.
Sunshine is key: These plants thrive in full sun, though they can handle a little shade.
Well-drained soil: Like other flowering bulbs, they don’t like their feet wet.
Plant deep: Dig a hole about twice the height of the bulb, spacing them 6–8 inches apart.
Pointy side up: The bulb’s pointy end goes up!
Be wind aware: Strong winds will beat them up. So, think like a tall plant.
Once they’re in the ground, alliums are pretty easy. Just water them in, and they’ll take it from there.

Where To Buy Allium Bulbs for Fall Planting

Get ready for sticker shock: some of the larger allium varieties can set you back $8.00 per bulb. But don’t let that deter you—these showstopper flowers are well worth the investment. Retailers to check out:
White Flower Farm — https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com
Eden Brothers — https://www.edenbrothers.com
Breck’s Bulbs — https://www.brecks.com
Johnny’s Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com
Van Engelen — https://www.vanengelen.com

Give These Popular Allium Varieties a Try in Your Garden

Allium ‘Purple Sensation’
This is the classic purple allium. It grows 2–3 feet tall and blooms in those perfect globe-shaped clusters.
Allium ‘Millenium’
Award-winning for its late blooms (July or August) and its edible foliage. It’s drought-tolerant, pest-resistant (slugs withstanding), and a hit with pollinators.
Allium ‘Globemaster’
Want something really dramatic? This one has huge, 10-inch-wide flowers that's said to last 3 to 5 weeks.
Allium ‘Gladiator’
These flowers can grow up to 6 inches in diameter, and they’re perfect for fresh or dried flower arrangements.

Alliums are a beautiful and easy-to-grow addition to any garden, offering striking blooms in June-ish when the primroses are fading. I think they are worth a try. Though nothing beats the time-tested, beautiful daffodil, don't you think?

Kodiak Garden Calendar

• Sow seeds of mixed salad greens
• Thin carrots
• Pick salmonberries!
• Weed. Weed. Weed.
• Make compost from grass clippings, kelp, leaves
• Count your blessings.

Want more info? Visit my channel, The UpBeet Gardener: https://youtube.com/@TheUpBeetGardener
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