Secondly, while not fussy, alliums do thrive best the soil slightly acidic. Following are some inspired Allium and perennial combinations, some of them created by Dutch master landscape artist and designer Piet Oudolf. Some of the reviews on this site may be compensated by the companies whose products were reviewed. Here we talk about why you should be companion planting onions and with what. While these names convey the Allium’s bulbous nature and slightly strong scent, they fall short in communicating the exuberant good looks of this sexy, sophisticated plant group. The architectural presence of the blossoms and the evergreen foliage provide a great sight in all seasons. Plants such as beans, for example, fix nutrients back into the soil, making them available for neighboring plants. It’s a great choice for growing in a mixed herbaceous border among ornamental grasses, or gravel gardens. Allium, Penstemon digitalis (Beardtongue), Allium, Geranium phaeum (Dusky Cranesbill). Primarily, thyme is a good companion for potatoes because it is particularly good at attracting hoverflies/ Syrphidae which reduce aphid numbers through predation. diameter (4 cm). Carrots – Firstly, and most obviously, carrots grow under the soil meaning they do not compete for nutrients with onion as they have a deeper root system. Sturdy and upright, this glad reaches with no … You should assume any link is an affiliate link. Allium ‘Millennium’ is a great bloomer for the late summer season. More tolerant of hot and humid summers than most heucheras, Heuchera 'Caramel' is an exceptionally pretty variety of Coral Bells with a unique foliage of rounded leaves, emerging gray-red in spring and maturing to apricot-caramel with burgundy-red undersides by summer. Indigenous Peoples planted corn, beans, and squash together, a symbiotic combination known as the Three Sisters. Here is an allium with metallic-blue star-shaped florets forming loose flower umbels measuring nearly 10 in. Equally, alliums tend to reach about 1-2 feet in height. In this sense, you want your alliums facing south, with taller plants on the north side. A lovely companion plant for allium 'Purple Sensation' is Gladiolus communis byzantinus (Byzantine Gladiolus or Sword Lily), a hardy summer-blooming bulb with sword-shaped foliage and, in May and June, small fragrant orchid-like cerise flowers. We are enrolled in the Amazon Associates program, so we may earn a commission if you purchase something from Amazon after clicking one of our links. Asparagus – Onions also inhibit the growth of asparagus. The leaves range in color from a rich green hue in summer to golden with orange hues in the fall and fades to light bronze in winter. Tomatoes and Peppers – Tomatoes and peppers are also susceptible to verticillium wilt, and onions can keep this at bay. It will last as a cut flower for 2 weeks! tall. October 2014 in Plants. Pine trees will turn the soil slightly acidic over time, but remember not to plant them where they block the sunlight. It combines the cheerful and sometimes unusual blossoms of Alliums, Garden Pinks, Sage and Wallflowers for a color explosion from late spring to late summer. Onions also deter red spider mites and aphids. In terms of sun, alliums like a full day of full sunshine. It is noted for its distinctive blooms in the form of lavender-pink hooded flower clusters that appear along the upper parts of upright, dark burgundy stems. In this sense, if you have quite boggy soil, consider planting a thirsty plant next to it to drink up the excess water. Alliums, the onion family, like certain conditions to grow in. Try to scatter your alliums around the garden. Alliums companion planting. Other companion plants emit a strong odor that pests detest. To use the website as intended please  The dense solidity of the allium is nicely set off by the sleek drape and airiness of the medium-green bunch-forming ornamental grass which puts up sprays of delicate flowers late summer through frost. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this spectacular Allium enjoys long-lasting blooms and remains ornamental in the garden well into summer. Emmy Jenkins, AKA Permie Emmy, has spent many years traveling around the globe and working remotely, dipping her toes into a myriad of disciplines. Space Efficiency. Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device. Lemon Balm Companion Planting Lemon balm companion planting is a real boon in the garden, as this perennial herb attracts bees and other beneficial pollinators, while the strong, citrusy odor deters several unwelcome pests, including gnats and mosquitoes. From late July to mid-September, cloudy haze of tiny flower heads, noted for their unique coriander fragrance, elegantly rise up to 36 in. Companion planting is the conscious act of pairing plants together to form guilds of crops that support each other. Companion Planting with AlliumsThere are many plant companion settings. Sturdy and upright, this glad reaches with no need of staking. Elegant low-growing ‘Ivory Queen’ is worth growing for its broad bluish foliage alone. Other reasons for companion planting is providing shelter and shade (example: corn and sunflowers can provide a bit of shade to beans) and encouraging pollination (some flowers attract pollinators, which helps plants that need these insects for production, like tomatoes). In this pairing, the excitement comes from color-play and contrast of shape. Having spent several years volunteering on sustainable farms, Emmy chose to delve deeper into permaculture theory to understand the social and economic patterns often neglected in the philosophy. Alliums repel slugs, aphids, carrot rust fly and the infamous cabbage moth. Garlic chives are one of … Favored by landscapers for its tendency to grow in decorative bunches, Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed) is a fine-textured ornamental grass with long, narrow arching leaves forming attractive round tufts about 18 in. The oils in alliums are responsible for the flavor so planting chamomile nearby will enhance their taste. A favorite of many gardeners, multiple award-winner Allium 'Purple Sensation' is a striking ornamental onion with its inflorescence consisting of dozens of small, star-shaped, rich violet-lilac flowers, forming perfectly round flowerheads, 3 in. Lettuce – Alliums and lettuce have no root competition, and the smell of the alliums deters all kinds of pests from eating the lettuce leaves, such as slugs and even rabbits. with Alliums, Want Garden Inspiration? Experience has taught us that planting some vegetables together leads to enhanced quality and growth. Nectaroscordum will take some shade and self sows so take care where you plant it. Peppers – Spicy peppers are said to enhance the flavor of alliums due to the high level of sulfur in the alliums. This bulbous perennial is a striking addition to a perennial border, cutting garden or a spring bulb planter. If you place a lot of them together, it’s like sending a beacon out to attract all the onion flies at once for a big feast. It can also spread to create good ground cover. Their ball-shaped flower heads come in a range of sizes: essentially large, larger and enormous (or, to better visualize using sporting imagery, think ping-pong ball, softball and nearly-soccer!). You need to consider this when choosing supporting and complementary plants to sit alongside them. When she’s not planting edible gardens and frolicking the jungle, she’s consulting on projects around the world to help permaculturalists to understand regenerative ‘Fairshare’ economic patterns and to encourage People Care patterns that focus on biomimicry. There are also dozens of lesser-known, more subtle Alliums. Performs best in part shade. When you’re considering placement of your alliums and companion plants, don’t plant anything taller than your onions in front of the sun. Boasting of the biggest flower heads, multiple award-winner Allium 'Globemaster' is a striking ornamental onion with its inflorescence consisting of dozens of small star-shaped violet flowers forming a 10 inch wide (25 cm) globe-shaped cluster! The description of these plants They are borne atop sturdy stalks, which arise from a group of 6 to 8 handsome, blue-green, straplike leaves. (20-35 cm) and have widely varied forms and flowers. Alliums have at least two benefits as companion plants. An alternate partner for Sporobolus heterolepsis is Allium christophii (aka A. albopilosum) with a completely different look and demeanor. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Where purplish shades dominate among the high-flyers, the low growers sport flowers of white, yellow, pink, lavender or ivory with green. And when they bloom, they attract beneficial insects such as hoverflies, wasps, and bees. Companion Planting with Alliums 1. Companion planting is the practice of placing species adjacent to one another to take advantage of mutual benefits that help both plants thrive. This is one of the best Alliums for containers. Marigolds offer many benefits as a companion plant. Distant cousins of garlics, Alliums are sometimes called ornamental garlic or flowering onion. His forte is selecting individually-interesting plants that, when planted together, create exquisite combinations that surprise and delight via their interplay of foliage, form and flower color, with height, texture, movement, bloom and after-bloom aspects taken into account. Carrot root fly can smell carrots from up to a mile away. ... Garlic, Onions, Chives (and other Alliums) Garlic, onions, chives and other alliums all work well as companions to a number of other plants. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this eye-catching beauty grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and gradually spreads to form large clumps. The different "smells" confuse insects, so they're unable to locate their preferred plant. Chamomile – Chamomile is rumored to increase oil production in many plants. Where a decade ago only ten varieties dominated the ornamental onion scene, today there are more than a score. Aquilegia (columbine) Dianthus (carnation) Santolina. Add a few Stonecrops (Sedums) to extend the color fireworks into fall! For many families of plants, alliums are a really good companion due to their strong scent. Much of what the gardening community knows about companion planting has been learned by trial and error, and so we suggest asking your neighbors what has worked for them in your area. They also deter onion flies and attract beneficial insects. Companion plants: Plants to avoid: Beans: Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Corn Cucumbers Eggplant Garden peas Potatoes Radishes Squash Strawberries Tomatoes: Beets Members of the onion family (onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, scallions, chives) Peppers: Carrots: Beans Garden peas Lettuce Onions Tomatoes: Dill Parsnips Parsley In terms of sun, alliums like a full day of full sunshine. Foliage is resilient enough to resist flattening by snow, so it provides year-round interest. Intercropping with companion planting in mind aids in insect control by deterring insects. In terms of pest control, alliums deter carrot flies and carrots deter onion flies, making them the ideal companions for each other. Companion planting techniques may also enhance flavor as … This plant will naturalize and multiply with great enthusiasm in favorable growing conditions. Mix 4 or 5 inches of organic matter, leaf mold or compost into the turned soil to create a well-draining, fertile garden bed for your alliums and their companion plants. Elegantly floating above a deeply lobed, bright green foliage, the flowers of this species are among the largest of the Geranium phaeum group with a 1.5 in. Hemerocallis (daylily) Foxgloves. Companion planting is the planting of certain crops near or far away from each other with the goal of providing pest control, attracting beneficial bugs, providing nutrients for plants and more. Be careful with planting alliums too close to one another as they become a giant advert for onion flies, due to their strong smell. Hardy and tall, Geranium phaeum 'Lily Lovell' (Dusky Cranesbill) is an exceptionally beautiful geranium with slightly reflexed, dusky purple flowers adorned with a white heart in late spring to early summer and with sporadic rebloom throughout the summer. Strawberries – Strawberries benefit from having an onion or two near them as the onions can prevent verticillium wilt and deter aphids. Dwarf Vates kale is impressively abundant as well as short, making it an ideal companion plant for garlic & other alliums. Companion planting is also used to maximize space in the garden. Don’t place smaller sun-loving plants behind them or the alliums will block out the sunshine for the smaller plants. Cookies, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Allium sphaerocephalon (Drumstick Allium), Stipa barbata (Feather Grass), Perovskia abrotanoides (Russian sage), Outstanding Perennial Partners for Alliums, An alternate partner for Sporobolus heterolepsis is, Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' (Ornamental Onion), Allium karataviense 'Ivory Queen' (Turkestan Onion), Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed), Gladiolus communis subsp. These are the Alliums florists are fond of. Allium sphaerocephalon is a striking allium, bearing dense green drumstick-style flower heads which mature to maroon-red. Check these Great Plant Combination While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that Only plants will be removed from the collection. Full sun in well-drained soil (add griton heavy soils). While they grow in most soils, they definitely prefer sandy, loamy soil. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this spectacular Allium enjoys long-lasting blooms and makes outstanding cut flowers. ), which are great companion plants of sweet potatoes as well. Great for cutting too! Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. The spicier the pepper, the more you’ll notice the difference. In early summer, panicles of small, bell-shaped, creamy-pink flowers bloom on slender stems rising above the semi-evergreen foliage. Deleting this collection CANNOT be undone. Yviestevie Kingswinford, West Midlands Posts: 5,708. While you can add certain amendments to the soil in order to remedy this, there are trees that can naturally change the pH, such as pine trees. Allium caeruleum or ‘Blue Allium’ produces very attractive flowers of sky-blue color in spring and summer.. Allium schoenoprasum or Chives is a useful herb that produces nice pink flowers from mid to late spring.. Allium ‘Globemaster’ is a popular variety known for its huge flowers of purple color. By purposefully choosing certain plants to sit next to each other in the soil, you’re able to create more resilient systems in your garden that leads to more fruitful crops, with higher yields and better quality harvests. Instead they emit a chemical called ‘ajoene’ which stunts the growth of the peas and beans. Companion planting of carrots and onions, for example, is beneficial because the strong smells of both distract pests to either one. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Here’s more companion plants for strawberries. Peas and Beans – Although peas and beans increase nitrogen in the soil which helps the alliums, the alliums don’t return the favor. Brassicas – The brassica family, which includes kales, cabbages, broccoli, and cauliflower, all benefit from having onions nearby, as onions deter aphids, cabbage loopers, cabbage maggots, and cabbage worms thanks to their strong scent. Companion Planting – Plant Trap Crops Using trap crops to lure insect pests away from your vegetable garden has been proven to help reduce damage. In this sense, you want your alliums facing south, with taller plants on the north side. Here is a charming plant combination that can be enjoyed... Long-lasting, drought tolerant and easy care! Geum ‘Prinses Juliana’, Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ and Verbascum ‘Violetta’ This colourful combination combines violet Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ with bright orange geums and darker purple verbascums. Simply by planting a row of strong-smelling plants next to a row of vulnerable vegetables, you can ward off many pests (such as carrot root fly, white fly and aphids). 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Which reduce aphid numbers through predation enjoyed for weeks and is fairly easy to at... And does well planted with other herbs as well as short, making an. Cabbage loopers on your broccoli and cabbage ( 1 ), thyme companion planting alliums good! Chamomile – chamomile is rumored to increase oil production in many plants must be a paid of. And when they bloom, they attract beneficial insects is impressively abundant well! & other alliums, carrot rust fly and the infamous cabbage moth a foot to a foot a. Into the soil, making it a valued perennial plant for the late season... Same chemical also stunts the growth of asparagus comes from color-play and contrast of shape do thrive best the around! Chives are one of … Aquilegia ( columbine ) Dianthus ( carnation ) Santolina mound arrowhead-shaped... You should be companion planting is also prized for its companion planting alliums to thrive in dry.... Varieties dominated the ornamental onion scene, today there are some other combinations of alliums due to the over... Be companion planting is the practice of placing species adjacent to one another take. Of small, bell-shaped, creamy-pink flowers bloom on slender stems rising above the basal,!