Allium schmitzii — Clump forming

Overview

Allium schmitzii is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Allium, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Allium schmitzii 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. It is native to Portugal and Spain.

About

A clump-forming bulb of the Amaryllidaceae, Allium schmitzii originates from Portugal and Spain and flowers from May to July. It has deciduous foliage and grows from bulbs in clumps. The plant prefers full sun and well-drained soils and will tolerate chalk, clay, loam or sand across a wide pH range. It is rated H6, so it is very hardy in most UK gardens.

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 4.0 — Allium

In the garden

Allium schmitzii is a bulbous member of the Amaryllidaceae from Portugal and Spain that forms tidy clumps of deciduous leaves and produces flowering heads in the late spring to early summer. As a clump-forming Allium it is grown for its seasonal blooms, which appear between May and July. Give it a sunny position on a south-, west- or east-facing aspect with freely draining soil; it tolerates chalk, clay, loam and sand and a wide pH range from acid to alkaline. It will perform in both exposed and sheltered sites and its H6 hardiness rating means it is very hardy through typical UK winters when planted in a suitable, well-drained spot. Use Allium schmitzii in city and courtyard spaces, gravel gardens, patio containers, wildlife borders and informal cottage beds. It also works as a cut flower, so consider planting in groups where the stems are easy to harvest. The combination of Iberian origin and tolerance of lean soils makes it particularly useful in gravel borders and pots where its May–July blooms can be cut for arrangements.

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 schmitzii 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
Native to: Portugal, Spain

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Allium schmitzii

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 schmitzii?

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

What soil does Allium schmitzii need?

Allium schmitzii 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 schmitzii hardy in the UK?

Allium schmitzii 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 schmitzii?

Offsets, Seed.

More in the Allium genus

Browse all Allium →