HAIR ALLIUM
You read that right: it’s called “Hair Allium” (or Allium Hair) and it’s my new favorite bulb.
Fine Gardening says “it looks like it put its roots in an electric socket.”
I came across it last fall and planted the entire pack of 25.
And here is the progression I saw last month. Too bad I didn’t get a better shot of the tangled “pod” on left. It was amazing! And then the little “seed heads” started poking through, getting larger and rounder.
This was somewhere in between:
Margaret Roach at A Way to Garden says, “Maybe your taste runs to the bizarre instead? Allium ‘Hair’ is at your service. This mutation of the drumstick allium, A. sphaerocephalon, is somewhere between undersea and outer space in appearance.”
Some garden sites say it is fragrant: I have yet to experience that. But I’m going to cut some this weekend to bring indoors, so we shall see. I am assured they will multiply each year!
What do you think? Would you consider growing these?
Hi Libby, I grow A. sphaerocephalon and they multiply for me; I rather imagine fragrant means smells of garlic! But it isn’t strong so I don’t think it will spoil an arrangement as long as you change the water frequently. Christina
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I still haven’t cut any…tomorrow, so will let you know about the scent!
I love it!!! What a statement it would make in the garden.
Have a great weekend!!
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Heather: Just be sure to group them together. They don’t really stand up/out as they are so whispy; another option is to put them in front of dark green foliage.
I would grow it–very cool Libby. I’m still watching your mother’s dahlia–almost ready.
Susie: Really? The dahlia is almost there? Oh lucky you; mine are weeks and weeks from blooming. Have to remember to feed them this weekend. We just installed an automatic irrigation system…finally…so that should help everyone!
How fun! How fabulous!! I love a sense of humor inside and out. Thanks for the intro – wish I had a few in my garden. Have you dried any? I have quite a few dried allium heads….the spherical shaped kind.
I might try drying them, although I think they are too wispy and almost fragile to do so. I will let you know. I’m also trying some other alliums, all for the first time (where have I been??) ; such fun flowers!
Wow, that looks very funny plant. Makes you smile, doesn’t it? :-)
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I love this quirky allium, andI would happily put it in my garden. Isn’t it wonderful to be in a garden, or out in the wilds, and suddenly come upon something you’ve never seen before? The best gardens have mystery and surprises!
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Suzanne: Yes, I love the quirky and unexpected! I’ve never grown Alliums before and now I’m hooked!