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Allium ‘Pinball Wizard’ (Ornamental Onion)

Ornamental Onion 'Pinball Wizard', Ornamental Garlic 'Pinball Wizard', Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers

Allium 'Pinball Wizard', Ornamental Onion 'Pinball Wizard', Tall Allium, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers, Giant Onions, Purple flowers

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 borderscity 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.

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.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 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 Amaryllidaceae
Genus Allium
Common names Onion, Ornamental Onion
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 8" (20cm)
Depth 8" (20cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
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 Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Allium cepa Aggregatum Group (Shallot)
Allium cepa (Onion)
Allium sativum (Garlic)
Allium amethystinum ‘Red Mohican’ (Ornamental Onion)
Allium ‘Purple Rain’ (Ornamental Onion)
Allium ‘Ostara’ (Ornamental Allium)

Recommended Companion Plants

Eryngium bourgatii ‘Picos Blue’ (Mediterranean Sea Holly)
Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’ (Cow Parsley)
Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus (Byzantine Gladiolus)
Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)

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Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Great Rose Companion Plants: Allium
Bulbs that return to the garden year after year!
Tall Alliums for your Garden Borders
Small Allium Species for the Rock Garden
Learn How To Plant And Care for Your Spring Flower Bulbs
Great Bulbs and Perennials as Companion Plants for Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
Awesome Allium Combos
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 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 Amaryllidaceae
Genus Allium
Common names Onion, Ornamental Onion
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 8" (20cm)
Depth 8" (20cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
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 Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Allium
Guides with
Allium
Not sure which Allium to pick?
Compare Now

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