Allium Gladiator (Ornamental Onion)
ward-winner Allium ‘Gladiator’ is one of the tallest and most architectural onions. Its inflorescence consists of dozens of small star-shaped reddish-purple flowers forming a 6 inches across (15 cm) globe-shaped cluster. Blooming from late spring to early summer, this spectacular bulbous perennial enjoys long-lasting blooms and remains ornamental in the garden well into summer.
Award-winner Allium 'Gladiator' is one of the tallest and most architectural onions. Its inflorescence consists of dozens of small star-shaped reddish-purple flowers forming a 6 inches across (15 cm) globe-shaped cluster. Blooming from late spring to early summer, this spectacular bulbous perennial enjoys long-lasting blooms and remains ornamental in the garden well into summer.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.
- Growing up to 3 – 4 feet high (90 – 120 cm), this beauty naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
- Easily grown in rich, sandy to gritty, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. This Allium is drought tolerant.
- Known for attracting bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators, but deer ignore it.
- Stunning in beds, borders, 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.
- To be planted in fall.
Requirements
| Hardiness | 4 – 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 1 – 9 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 3, 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 | 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, Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
| Garden Styles | Formal Garden, Informal and Cottage |