Spring flowers - alliums and their perfect plant companions in the garden

In this video I'm showing spring flowers - alliums and their perfect plant companions in the garden 0:00 -INTRO 0:48 ALLIUMS IN ...

This article is a summary of a YouTube video "Spring flowers - alliums and their perfect plant companions in the garden" by Blossom Flower Delivery

Key insights about video Spring flowers - alliums and their perfect plant companions in the garden

🌱 Alliums are perennials that multiply every year, offering more flowers if they are not dug up, but smaller blooms over time if left undisturbed.

🌞 Alliums thrive best in well-drained soil and should not be planted where water stands, as they can rot in excessively wet conditions.

🌅 While full sun is ideal for alliums, providing around nine hours of sunlight, they can also grow well in semi-shade, although deep shade is less suitable.

📅 The optimal time to plant allium bulbs is in the fall, with garden centers typically selling them at this time, or they can be purchased online.

👁️ When selecting allium bulbs, it's best to choose large, firm ones with shiny skins and no moldy spots to ensure healthy growth and beautiful blooms.

🌼 Alliums have a natural lifecycle where their leaves yellow before the flowers bloom, which is normal, and these leaves can be cut without harming the plant's future blooming.

🌺 Effective companion plants for alliums include perennials like catmint, lupins, sweet rocket, and early flowering clematis, which complement the blooms and can cover yellowing leaves.

💐 Alliums offer a range of colors and shapes, blooming at different times throughout the spring to create continuous color in gardens with mixed bulb varieties.

🏵️ After alliums have flowered, the foliage can be cut back to make way for other plants like roses, which will bloom next, creating an evolving garden display.

🎨 White alliums like Mont Blanc and Mount Everest offer a tall, stately option for those preferring a less colorful garden or looking for a lighter palette to complement other plants.

Timestamped Summary

00:00 Introduction to the video about alliums, with Marta showing the blooming of her garden.

00:48 Marta shares her experience starting with alliums 15 years ago.

01:39 Explanation of how allium bulbs multiply over the years.

02:11 Advice on the best place to grow alliums, emphasizing well-drained soil and avoiding standing water.

03:00 Discussion on sunlight requirements for alliums, with full sun or semi-shade being the ideal conditions.

03:33 Tips on buying allium bulbs in the autumn and what to look for in a healthy bulb.

04:39 Planting advice, showing the use of organic matter and compost when planting allium bulbs.

05:00 Addressing the common concern of yellowing leaves on allium plants.

06:00 Plant companion ideas for alliums, including catmint, lupins, sweet rocket, and irises.

07:23 A look at natural-looking plant combinations in Marta's garden, featuring self-seeded foxgloves.

09:31 Introduction to a variety of alliums in a different border, including Allium 'Purple Sensation' and an allium mix called 'Allium Festival'.

12:19 Showing white alliums, Mont Blanc and Mount Everest, in Marta's front garden with suitable companion plants.

14:08 Marta's personal favorite allium, Globemaster, and invitation for viewers to share their favorites.

14:25 Conclusion and reminder to remove yellowing leaves, an invitation to subscribe to the channel, and a farewell.

Browse more about Flowers

California Superbloom: Winter Rains Bring Spring Explosion of Colorful Wildflowers

FOX Weather's Max Gorden reports on the wildflower superblooms covering deserts and hillsides across California, some of ...

The first Lego Friends set designed for advanced builders | Downtown Flower & Design Store overview

I love this set - it has the almost complexity of a creator expert modular set but with an open dollhouse style back and SO much ...

Q&A

What is the best place to grow alliums?

The best place to grow alliums is in a location with well-drained soil, away from any spots where water stands during the summer and winter, as they can rot. They also love rich compost soil and grow well in full sun, getting around nine hours of sunlight, but can also thrive in semi-shade.

When is the right time to plant alliums and where can you get them?

The right time to plant alliums is in Autumn. You can buy the bulbs at garden centers during this time or set a reminder to purchase them in late August or early September. You can also find them online or, though rarely, in pots at some garden centers.

What should you look for when buying allium bulbs?

When buying allium bulbs, you should look for bulbs that are bigger because that indicates they will produce bigger flowers. Also, you should check the skin of the bulb to ensure it is shiny, beautiful, and firm, without moldy spots.

How should allium bulbs be planted?

Allium bulbs should be planted three times the depth of the bulb size and given a lot of organic matter or compost. This helps in better growth as they love such conditions.

Why do allium leaves start yellowing, and what can be done about it?

Allium leaves naturally start to yellow even before the flowers bloom. This is typical and nothing to worry about. You can cut away the yellow leaves without harming the plants, and this won't affect the flowers in the following year. Interplanting alliums with perennials that can hide these yellowing leaves is another solution.

What are some good companion plants for alliums?

Good companions for alliums include catmint, lupines, sweet rocket, irises, early flowering clematis, foxgloves, and Brunnera. These plant combinations help create visually appealing borders and gardens.

What happens to alliums after they stop flowering?

After alliums stop flowering, you can cut the plants to the ground. The next flowers to take over the border might be roses or clematis. This will allow for a seamless bloom transition in the garden, with other perennials like salvias, coneflowers, phlox, and sweet rocket taking center stage at different times.