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.

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.

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 Allium
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)
Water Needs 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