Onions can be garden showstoppers

BUCYRUS - Although onion family members have been grown for over 10,000 years as a food staple, in our time, newer cultivars have developed into ornamental show-offs. Allium, meaning onion, is the term naming this huge family. It includes chives, garlic, leeks, onions, scallions and shallots — an interesting collection of edibles and ornamentals.

To describe the family as “tough” may be an understatement. When you come through thousands of years there are reasons. Being able to readily reproduce is one factor. The versions that set seed heads have a definite advantage. The ornery bulbs hang tough in the earth.

My own investment in allium bulbs started over 40 years ago. It began when fellow gardeners shared bulbs that flowered. Research showed that the alliums are not delectable to wildlife such as deer, rabbits and squirrels. The most welcome in my flower beds are the upright, globular, purple alliums, which are now in the peak of their blooming period. The blast comes by having them in clusters. What is nice is the fact they strengthen color impact at a time when tulips are totally gone and peonies and poppies are budding up for a show.

The dense blooms present wonderful texture. Sturdy stems keep the blooms upright. Like erect proud soldiers, they stand at attention. Weekend breezes brought the round, forms to nodding. They do not sway nor dance.

If you decide to grow them, plant the bulbs in groups. Select well-drained spots, either in sunshine or partial shade. I am going out on a limb and say that you will never have to buy the bulbs again. Never. Consider planting perennials around the allium groupings. As the bulbs are glowing purple, the foliage is fading fast, drying at the tips. The unsightly leaf blades can be overlooked as fever few, hostas, phlox, and daylilies fill in around the bulbs' stems somewhat hiding foliage.

You might want to cut and enjoy the plant in its prime. At least cut and dry those seed heads when the flowering disappears.

If left in the garden, you are just inviting a prolific generation next year. When you look into this family of onions, many other colors can be found; yellow, white, pink, mauve, light and deep purple, even blue. Avoid ornamental chives a small, white version. This allium caused a three year campaign of eradication in my yard. They are not easily threatened.

Allium blooms are bee friendly, fragrant, and easy to grow. Welcome them in a variety of sizes and colors.

Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth-grade teacher.