Drumstick allium Album

Certainly! Thanks to its compact height of around 50 cm, Allium carinatum 'Album' is also perfect for growing in pots and window boxes. It is essential to choose a container with a drainage hole at the bottom and use a high-quality drainage layer (e.g., expanded clay/leca) so that the bulbs do not rot in waterlogged substrate. Also, remember that bulbs in containers are more susceptible to freezing over the winter. Therefore, wrap the pot in insulating material in the autumn or move it to a cool, frost-free room for the winter.

Allium carinatum loves the sun! Therefore, choose a sunny and warm location where it will feel best. It can handle partial shade, but it will bloom most profusely in full sun. As for the soil, it is most important that it is well-draining and does not retain excess water. If you have heavy or clay soil in your garden, we recommend adding a bit of sand or fine gravel to the bottom of the planting hole as drainage. Waterlogging could lead to the bulbs rotting.

Yellowing and drying of leaves just before or during flowering is an entirely common and natural phenomenon in ornamental garlic. The plant shifts all its energy from the leaves to creating beautiful flowers. Therefore, it is not a sign of disease or lack of moisture. Do not remove the drying leaves before they have completely withered, as the bulb draws nutrients from them. A great tip is to plant lower perennials in front of the garlic (e.g., Lavender), which will elegantly cover the unsightly yellowing leaves.

The easiest way to propagate is by natural bulb division. Over time, the parent bulb creates smaller daughter bulbs underground. After a few years, these grow into clumps and the plant may become denser but bloom less. In such a case, we recommend digging up the clump after it has finished flowering and the leaves have dried (ideally at the end of summer), carefully separating the small bulbs, and replanting them immediately in a new location. This will rejuvenate the plant and encourage lush flowering in the coming years.

Yes, just like other members of the Allium genus (garlic, onion, chives), Allium carinatum is also toxic to pets, especially dogs and cats. It contains compounds that can cause damage to red blood cells and digestive issues in them. If you have animals in your garden that like to nibble on plants, we recommend placing the Allium in a spot they cannot access. Fortunately, the specific onion scent of the leaves usually naturally discourages animals from consuming them.

This type of garlic is exceptional because it blooms in late summer. Its beautiful white inflorescences typically appear from July to August, long after many spring bulbs have finished blooming. The flowers, resembling bursts of fireworks on thin stems, last for several weeks. Furthermore, they retain their decorative appearance even after blooming as seed pods begin to form, so they will grace your garden for a long time.

Allium carinatum belongs botanically to the same family as garlic or onions, so it is theoretically edible and both its leaves and bulbs have a distinct garlic scent. However, the 'Album' variety is grown and bred exclusively for ornamental purposes. The bulbs we supply are not intended for consumption. For culinary experiences, we recommend growing traditional vegetable garlic varieties instead, while letting this white beauty adorn your flower beds and summer bouquets.

Absolutely! Allium carinatum acts as a magnet for various pollinators in the garden. Its delicate, pure white flowers produce a large amount of nectar in late summer, when natural food sources are becoming scarce. If you plant it, you can look forward to a flower bed full of life. Bees, bumblebees, hoverflies, and many species of butterflies will visit it. It is an ideal choice for anyone who wants to support biodiversity in their area.

The cut flowers of this Allium are absolutely stunning and last a very long time in a vase, often more than two weeks! Ideally, cut the flowers with a clean and sharp knife when the first lower florets in the cluster begin to open. Shorten the stems with an angled cut and place them in clean water. We recommend changing the water in the vase every two to three days to prevent cloudiness and extend the life of the flowers. The white flower heads are suitable for both summer bouquets and drying.

Ornamental garlics are generally very hardy plants that pests usually avoid. Their specific scent even acts as a natural repellent against aphids and deters voles or deer. The biggest enemy for the bulbs is waterlogged soil, which causes bulb rot or fungal diseases such as white rot. The basis for prevention is therefore good drainage and planting in sufficiently permeable soil.