did you know?

Ornamental onions are cousins to such edibles as onions, garlic, chives, and shallots, though few give off any significant onion odor to detract from their beauty; the pungent aroma characteristic of the genus is usually obvious only if you tear a leaf. Martha uses these bold, dramatic plants throughout her flower beds as punctuation points.

general maintenance:

To encourage the plants to store nutrients for next year's bloom rather than produce seeds, deadhead spent flower heads.

how to sow/plant:

Plant in fall, about 6 weeks before the ground freezes. Set bulbs 6?8 inches deep and 6?8 inches apart. There is no need to water or fertilize upon planting.

water and fertilize:

Monitor soil moisture all season. If desired, feed with an all-purpose bulb fertilizer as shoots emerge in spring and again after bloom.

garden hint:

Ornamental onions are good news for gardeners who have lost other plants to animals; because of their taste, they are usually left alone by rabbits and deer.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage
• Deer Resistant
• Fragrant

garden uses:

• Flowerbed borders
• Naturalizing

other uses:

• Cut Flower
• Everlasting (>)

combine with:

small varieties of pinks and dwarf lady's mantle and other plants that require sharp drainage.