Alphabetical Plant Listing

Allium amethystinum 'Red Mohican' (Ornamental Onion)

Amethyst Allium 'Red Mohican', Ornamental Onion 'Red Mohican', Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers


A flamboyant Allium variety, Allium amethystinum 'Red Mohican' (Ornamental Onion) is a bulbous perennial boasting drumstick-like flower heads packed with wine-red florets and crested tufts of tiny buds open to white florets. Blooming in late spring to early summer, the unusual blossoms are borne atop tall, sturdy stems above the foliage of strap-shaped green leaves. Rich in nectar, the flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. They make excellent cut flowers too. This spectacular Allium enjoys long-lasting blooms, and its seed heads are ornamental, persisting for weeks after the flower has passed.

  • Growing up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm), this beauty naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
  • Easily grown in fertile, well-drained soils in full sun. Add grit when grown in clay soils to improve drainage. This Allium is drought tolerant.
  • Stunning in beds and borders, city gardens, or cottage gardens. Spectacular in large sweeping drifts. For best visual impact, plant in groups (at least 10 to 15 bulbs). Excellent as cut flowers for both fresh and dried arrangements.
  • Known for attracting butterflies, and other pollinators, but deer ignore it.
  • To be planted in fall.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for onion white rot, and downy mildew.
  • Propagate using offsets in autumn.
  • Allium amethystinum is native to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Sicily, Crete, Malta, Albania, Bulgaria, and the former Yugoslavia.

Many hundreds of Allium species exist, but only a modest few have made a name for themselves as garden plants. The ornamental onions distinguish themselves by their great diversity in color, inflorescence, and flowering height. Many species bloom in early summer - just after the spring-flowering period and just before the exuberant full bloom of summer. All species can be used in the border. Certain small species are just perfect for a rock garden, and several lend themselves to naturalizing.

Learn How To Plant And Care for Your Spring Flower Bulbs

 To achieve optimum flowering results, it is important to plant the bulbs at the right time.

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Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Allium
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 6" – 8" (15cm – 20cm)
Spacing 8" (20cm)
Depth 8" (20cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage

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Alex Manders, Anghi, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Allium
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 6" – 8" (15cm – 20cm)
Spacing 8" (20cm)
Depth 8" (20cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Allium

Guides with Allium

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