Allium stipitatum 'MONT BLANC' ornamental onion
Symbivit Tric (arbuscular)
Symbivit (arbuscular)Allium
Ornamental onion is an attractive bulbous perennial commonly found all around mountainous regions of northern hemisphere. Most sought-after varieties are those with huge globular inflorescence in mid spring, yet there are others that bloom in the middle of summer offering handsome foliage all season round.
Another snow top among ornamental onions next to Mount Everest is Mont Blanc. It is a large flowered variety of Persian onion from Central Asia which blooms a little later than its brother. It makes 12-14 cm across flower heads composed of numerous star-shaped, pure white flowers with beige stamens in June for about 3 weeks. They appear atop strong and sturdy stems that usually grow about 80-90 cm tall, exceptionally in very fertile soil almost one meter. Strap-shaped, basal leaves are light to pale green, and die back soon after the peak flowering phase. You can remove them or let them wilt and compost in situ if their unsightly state is not irritating.
Last update 07-04-2022
Large flowered ornamental onions need very well-drained soil or sand-based loam, and location in full sun. Avoid soils that remain wet especially when the plant is dormant. Should you have no other choice dig up the plant in midsummer, and plant it in a pot that is kept away from excess rain until early spring when it can be transplanted to the ground again, now with new roots that developed in the pot during dormancy. The bulb should be at least 5 cm or better 10 cm below the ground level. The stems are strong enough to withstand common weather caprices, however, open and exposed locations (windy seaside, large open fields, smooth mountain slopes etc.) are not recommended. In spite of the garlic/onion smell no part of the plant is edible. Hardy to about. -40 °C (USDA zone 3).
