Allium giganteum
ornamental garlic
Common names: giant garlic, giant onion
Photo: Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The ornamental garlic produces spherical, violet flower heads on tall, bare stems in June, resembling lanterns hovering above the bed. The dried seed heads remain decorative into the fall, and bees are attracted to the nectar-rich individual flowers.
Care instructions
Plant the large bulbs in September or October at a depth of about 20 cm in well‑drained, sunny soil, deeper planting yields a sturdier stem. Water sparingly, as the plant does not tolerate waterlogging. Allow the foliage, which often yellowes before flowering, to die back naturally; plant low‑growing perennials in front to conceal the withering leaves.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, humus-rich, nutrient-rich, dry
Feeding
Medium feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
carrot family (Apiaceae)
Umbellifers and alliums confuse each other's pests (carrot fly, onion fly).
For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
rose family (Rosaceae)
You can plant garlic and chives under strawberries and roses; their scent repels aphids and other pests.
For example StrawberryAppleRaspberryPearAroniaBlackberry and 52 more species in the catalogue
Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed Culture Practice
Rather not
legume family (Fabaceae)
particularly well establishedAllium species inhibit the nitrogen‑fixing rhizobia of legumes through their root exudates, which slows their growth.
For example PeaBush beanPole beanBroad beanMarker peaSugar pea and 31 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop‑rotation rule
nightshade family (Solanaceae)
Onions slow down the growth of nightshade family plants next to potatoes and tomatoes; the classic crop-rotation rule also applies in the bed side by side.
For example PotatoTomatoSweet pepperCocktail tomatoEggplantCape gooseberry and 9 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
Notes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety, anonymous and voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?