Overview

Allium tataricum is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Allium, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Allium tataricum 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 nutans, English common name Siberian chives or blue chives, is a species of onion native to European Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Asiatic Russia (Altay Krai, Krasnoyarsk, Tuva, Western Siberia, Amur Oblast). It grows in wet meadows and other damp locations. Allium nutans has one or two bulbs up to 1.5 to 2.0 cm (5⁄8 to 3⁄4 in) in diameter. Scapes are winged and 2-angled, 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in) tall. 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 nutans

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 tataricum 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 tataricum

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 tataricum?

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

What soil does Allium tataricum need?

Allium tataricum 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 tataricum hardy in the UK?

Allium tataricum 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 tataricum?

Offsets, Seed.

More in the Allium genus

Browse all Allium