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
Allium schmitzii is a clump-forming cultivar of the Allium genus, which comprises bulbous herbaceous perennials known for their distinctive onion or garlic scent. This deciduous plant produces star-shaped or bell-shaped flowers arranged in umbels atop leafless stems during spring and summer. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, across a range of pH levels. Suitable for various garden settings such as city gardens, gravel beds, and containers, it is hardy in the UK and benefits from planting bulbs in autumn and allowing the foliage to die back naturally.
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.
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
- Allium 'Garlic White'garlic 'Garlic White'
- Allium 'Japanese White'garlic 'Japanese White'
- Allium 'Judith'
- Allium affine
- Allium akaka
- Allium alexeianum
- Allium amethystinumamethyst allium
- Allium amplectensnarrowleaf onion
