Allium Ivory Queen

20 years ago

I was looking at Alliums in my garden magazine, and I really liked the look of the "Ivory Queen". Even though the magazine stated that it is only hardy to zone 4, I noticed that Laurie from Manitoba had it in one of her flower pics last June (sometimes, I forget that flowers can't read). I was just wondering if anyone had any pointers for a newbie on growing Alliums. I have a nice sunny sandy spot for it. Should I get more than one bulb? Do rabbits or dear like to eat them? Do they require extra mulch over the winter? How much should I expect to pay for a decent bulb/plant? Thank you in advance.

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Comments (4)

Laurie_z3_MB
20 years ago
Good thing my alliums can't read!LOL I've had mine growing for about 3 years now(my neighbor's had some for even longer) in a bed on the south side of my house. All I did was pick up 2 packages of 5or 6 each, I believe they were $5 or $6 a bag, from walmart. I followed the planting instructions on the package and they've been doing great ever since. No mulching, no watering........virtually no maintainance. Personally I would make sure you got more than one. I really like my clumps :)

Good luck with them,
Laurie
marciaz3 Tropical 3 Northwestern Ontario
20 years ago
I have Allium 'Purple Sensation'. They were planted in the fall of 2004, and were absolutely awesome last year - i love them! These are tall ones, 18-24" at least. I've tried winter sowing 'Ivory Queen' three times now, so maybe this year is the charm. And last fall i planted 'Jade Eyes' and 'Moly luteum' (a "looser" head than the tight round ones), and i'm really anxious to see them in the spring!
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valleyrimgirl
20 years ago
I also have some different kinds of alliums, Purple Sensation, Ostrowskianum and Moly. And...deer do NOT eat them!!! We do not have a problem with rabbits so I do not know whether rabbits will eat alliums or not.

As for the cost...in 2002 I paid $4.99 (plus taxes) for a package of 6 Purple Sensation Allium bulbs. The Moly and Ostrowskianum were free...given away at a garden show here in Brandon in 2001, so as for the cost of them...? I do not know what you would pay for them this year.

I do not have Ivory Queen Allium but was also looking at purchasing it sometime.

As for the amount to buy...I like the way that the Moly and Ostrowskianum have multiplied. The Purple Sensation drops its seeds into the mulch and really hasn't multiplied otherwise for me.

There are lots of kinds of alliums out there. Why not try a few kinds in your yard? They are low maintenance, reliable to bloom each spring and deer proof.
stumpie
Original Author
20 years ago
Thank you all very much for your thoughtful advice. The rabbits have eaten my Bugleweed, and my Maiden Ferns, but they have never touched my chives, so maybe I'll be in luck. If they do well, maybe I'll replace the dutch irises that never bloom. Hope I get some freelance work soon. The DH is going to be irritated when he finds out how much I want to plant this spring. The limping is only going to get me so far. Sounds like Alliums can be addictive. They certainly are eye-catching.