About
Allium cepa Aggregatum Group is a perennial species frequently cultivated as an annual. It features slender, hollow leaves and produces pink or red blooms. Commonly referred to as shallots, this group has been chosen for its less pungent, sweeter taste. The bulbs typically develop in clusters and can reach sizes of up to 5 cm in diameter. Numerous named cultivars exist, differing in color, shape, and size.
About the genus
Allium consists of bulbous herbaceous perennials characterized by a pronounced onion or garlic aroma. They feature linear, strap-like, or cylindrical leaves that arise from the base. The flowers, which can be star-shaped or bell-shaped, are arranged in an umbel atop a stem that lacks leaves.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbs - Culinary, Bulbs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Fragrance
- Foliage
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, moisture retentive, but well-drained soil in full sun. Yellowing and toppling of the foliage is a sign that the shallots are reaching maturity. Lift and store in a cool dry place. See how to grow: shallots for further advice
- Pruning
- Not required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or by onion sets. See how to grow: onions or sowing vegetable seeds
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to onion fly, leek moth and narcissus eelworm
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to onion white rot, onion downy mildew, leek rust and onion neck rot. Bolting, producing flowers, may be a problem