Overview
Allium tataricum is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Allium, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.02–0.02 metres tall. 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 4.0 — Allium nutans
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
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
- Height
- 0.02–0.02 metres
- 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.
How big does Allium tataricum grow?
Allium tataricum reaches a height of 0.02–0.02 metres.
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
- Allium 'Judith'

- Allium 'Summer Beauty'

- Allium cepa 'Goldito'
- Allium christophii (albopilosum)Star of Persia

- Allium hookeri 'Zorami'Hooker Chives

- Allium phanerantherumconspicuous-anthered garlic

- Allium 'Millenium'
- Allium schmitzii