Allium ‘Pinball Wizard’ (Ornamental Onion)

Shorter than the highly popular Allium ‘Globemaster’, Allium ‘Pinball Wizard’ is a striking, bulbous perennial boasting huge rounded clusters, 8 in. across (20 cm), densely packed with dozens of small star-shaped deep purple flowers. Blooming in late spring and early summer, they are borne atop straight, sturdy stems above the attractive foliage clump of strap-shaped gray-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 24-30 in. tall (60-75 cm), this beauty naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
• Easily grown in fertile, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Add grit when planting in clay soils to improve drainage. This Allium is drought tolerant.
• Known for attracting bees, butterflies, ​moths, and other pollinators, but deer ignore it.
• Stunning in beds and borders, city gardens, and cottage gardens. Spectacular in large sweeping drifts. Plant in groups (at least 10 to 15 bulbs) for the best visual impact. Excellent as cut flowers for both fresh and dried arrangements!
• Mixes beautifully with other late spring flowering bulbs and creates stunning combinations with pink or white delphiniums, peonies, or irises.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for onion white rot and downy mildew.
• To be planted in fall.
• Propagation: remove offsets in fall.

Hundreds of Allium species exist, but only a few have made a name for themselves as garden plants. The ornamental onions distinguish themselves by their remarkable 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. Certain small species are just perfect for a rock garden, and several lend themselves to naturalizing. All species can be used in the border.