Allium 'Gladiator'

Allium 'Gladiator': Big Round Heads Towering Over the Border

Giant lilac-purple globes on tall stems, standing in the arena of your flower bed like they've already won. 'Gladiator' isn't afraid of deer or dry spells. ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Allium 'Gladiator'
• Common Name: Ornamental Onion
• Height: 90–120 cm (3–4 ft)
• Spread: 30 cm (1 ft)
• Flowers: Round heads up to about 20 cm (8 in) across, made of lilac-purple, star-shaped florets
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June)
• Foliage: Broad, strap-shaped, grey-green basal leaves that fade around bloom time
• Features: Good cut and dried flower

Where to Plant: Plant it in groups through the middle or back of a sunny border, where the heads float above everything else. Put low, leafy plants at its feet to hide the allium leaves as they yellow. The heads can be cut fresh or left to dry on the stem.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Gladiator' bulbs through a dry, sunny bed of summer bloomers that cover its leaves as they fade. Gaillardia Low Rider™ fronts the bed with red and yellow daisies at 20 to 25 cm from June to October. Lavandula 'Ellagance Purple' adds fragrant violet spikes at 30 to 36 cm from June to August. Perovskia 'Blue Jean Baby' brings lavender-blue haze at 70 to 85 cm from July to September. Eragrostis spectabilis adds a native purple love grass at 30 to 60 cm, its flowers a pink-purple cloud from July to September.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soil. Avoid spots that stay wet, especially in winter, since the bulbs can rot. In clay, improve drainage with compost or grit, or plant on a slope. Water during spring growth. After flowering, let the leaves die back on their own so the bulb can recharge. It likes drier conditions in summer dormancy. Lift and divide crowded clumps once the foliage has withered. Cut down old stems when they're dry, or leave the seed heads for interest.

History: 'Gladiator' is a garden hybrid, likely of the Central Asian species Allium hollandicum and Allium macleanii. Tall alliums like this are prized for long-lasting, round flower heads that bridge the gap between spring bulbs and summer perennials.

Final Thoughts: Plant the bulbs in fall, then sit back while the bees fill the stands. Cut one for a vase. THUMBS UP FROM THE EMPEROR.