Serendipity Allium

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

1-1.5 Feet

Mature Spread

10-15 Inches

Growing Zones

4 to 8

A time-honored addition to most informal gardens, Allium continues to be a gardener’s favorite. Large lavender umbels of flowers sway over fleshy green stalks with strap-like leaves at ground level. When you brush or squeeze any part of the plant, an onion fragrance will waft up to you, adding to their appeal in your garden. They make wonderful perennial additions to childrens’ gardens as well as wildlife gardens as bees and butterflies love them. Serendipity Ornamental Onion is a particularly prolific bloomer, sending up multiples of stalks with large flower heads rather than just one or two.

Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, allium are hardy in Zones 4-8, growing in most of the United States except the very coldest winter regions and the very hottest summer regions. Gardeners the world over appreciate the allium family of plants, especially the ones with culinary benefits, onions and garlic, which have been used for thousands of years for food and for their medicinal benefits. Although technically all true alliums are edible, some are more suited for ornamental purposes, being either too strong, stringent or woody to be palatable. These are best enjoyed for their lovely flowers.

Serendipity Allium Care

Plant alliums in part to full sun, about 4 hours of sun is the minimum they prefer. Soil pH will be on the acidic side at 5.8 to 6.2. Use a sulphur based acidic fertilizer for best results. Alliums gain their classic onion smell from the sulphur in the soil. Water when first planted, then again during extended dry periods although alliums will tolerate some drought. Soil should be well draining to keep bulbs from rotting. Remove yellowed or damaged leaves. Deer and rabbit are not typically drawn to alliums so you shouldn’t have to worry about them browsing on them. Plant alliums outside about a week after the danger of the last frost has passed for best results.

Deadhead spent blooms to keep them from going to seed to extend the bloom season as much as possible. When the allium has ceased producing flowers, cut all spent flowers off but leave the foliage in place to garner energy from the sun. Once the foliage yellows, however, you may cut it down to the ground. Mulch with a good quality pine mulch to help soil retain its moisture and protect the roots in harsh winter regions. Although alliums produce seeds, these seeds may be viable as this is a hybridized variety. Divide clumps every three years to keep them from getting overcrowded.

Serendipity Allium Spacing

Space your alliums about 10 to 15 inches apart. These beauties will grow to about 20 inches tall and spread out to 15 inches wide. Alliums make an interesting addition to indoor flower arrangements. Plant them in masses in your landscape, in your informal cottage garden, and as an interesting thriller in your patio planters for height and that cool lavender color. You will find many ways to use alliums in your garden this spring.