Overview

Allium amplectens is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Allium, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Allium amplectens grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens, cut flowers and flower borders and beds.

About

Allium amplectens, the narrowleaf onion, is a species of flowering plant. It is an onion native to the west coast of the United States, in Oregon, Washington State and California, also British Columbia in Canada. It grows in woods and especially in clay and serpentine soils. In the garden it prefers full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is very hardy across most of the UK (RHS H6). Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens, cut flowers and flower borders and beds. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained conditions and south-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects. Plant bulbs in autumn in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Most are fully hardy and undemanding. Allow foliage to die back naturally.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0Allium amplectens

About the genus

Allium is a large genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants with 1112 accepted species, making Allium the largest genus in the family Amaryllidaceae and among the largest plant genera in the world. Many of the species are edible, and some have a long history of cultivation and human consumption such as the onion, garlic, scallions, shallots, leeks, and chives.

Wikipedia contributors, "Allium", CC BY-SA 4.0Allium

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Allium

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H6

Plant details

Allium amplectens size, habit and characteristics

Plant type
Bulbs
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Allium amplectens

Propagation
Offsets, Seed
Pest resistance
Allium leaf miner, Onion fly
Disease resistance
Onion white rot, Onion downy mildew

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Allium amplectens?

Allium amplectens prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Allium amplectens need?

Allium amplectens is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.

Is Allium amplectens hardy in the UK?

Allium amplectens has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.

How do I propagate Allium amplectens?

Offsets, Seed.

More in the Allium genus

Browse all Allium