Product Description
Allium 'Bobblehead' PPAF CPBRAF - Proven Winners® (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: Ornamental Onion
If you've enjoyed the ease and beauty of A. 'Serendipity', then 'Bobblehead' is the next perennial you will want to check out! 'Bobblehead' supersizes 'Serendipity' as a much larger, robust plant, with bigger blooms, an earlier bloom time, and a lighter flower color. Globe-like 3-3½" pale lilac flowers appear in midsummer, persisting for many weeks before leaving behind perfectly spherical seedheads. Foliage is glaucous blue-green with a twist to each individual leaf. If the foliage is bruised or the clump cut into, the plant will give off a strong onion smell - translating into high deer and rabbit resistance. 'Bobblehead' has good heat and drought tolerance and is capable of surviving in a wide variety of soils. Site in sunny spaces with good drainage for the best results!
Alliums are charming plants for the rock or herb garden. When the foliage is bruised, it smells like onions since they are in the onion family. Butterflies and honeybees adore the flowers' sweet nectar but deer and rabbits steer clear of this perennial beauty.
Allium is very easy to grow in full sun to part shade. It will tolerate soil of any fertility and will grow in clay soil. This selection has not been known to reseed and is not invasive. It may be propagated in fall by digging it up and dividing the rhizome with the bulblets attached. Allium is typically pest and disease free. Its aromatic foliage also makes it deer and rabbit resistant.
Height: 30.0-32.0 Inches
Spread: 20.0-24.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: Purple shades
Foliage Color: Blue shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) - Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Average Water Needs
Poor to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Midsummer - Early Fall
Attracts Butterflies
Bee Friendly
Deer and Rabbit Resistant
Seasonal Interest: Dried Seed Heads
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Fragrant Flowers, Fragrant Foliage, Mass Planting
Allium 'Bobblehead' is a perennial plant known for its playful, globe-like blooms that last from summer to fall. This easy-to-grow and low-maintenance ornamental onion hybrid is a favorite among gardeners and pollinators alike. It is part of the Proven Winners brand.
Allium 'Bobblehead' exhibits a long blooming period, with its charming globe-like flowers gracing gardens from summer to fall. This robust plant typically reaches a height of 30-32 inches and a width of 20-24 inches at maturity. It is a "supersized take on the popular Allium 'Serendipity'".
The pale lilac flowers of Allium 'Bobblehead' bloom from midsummer to early fall. After the flowers fade, decorative, spherical seed heads continue to provide visual interest into the fall. The flowers have a sweet nectar that attracts butterflies and honeybees.
The foliage of this allium is equally striking. Its strappy, blue-green leaves have a unique twist, adding to the plant's overall charm. When bruised or cut, the foliage emits a strong onion/garlic scent that effectively deters deer and rabbits.
In addition to its ornamental qualities, Allium 'Bobblehead' boasts several other desirable features. It has low flammability, making it a safer choice for fire-prone areas. It is also heat tolerant, cold tolerant, and rabbit resistant, further enhancing its appeal for gardeners.
How to Grow Allium 'Bobblehead' thrives in a wide range of conditions, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
Planting
- Sunlight: Plant in full sun (6+ hours per day) to part sun (4-6 hours per day).
- Soil: Thrives in any type of soil.
- Spacing: Space plants 24 inches apart.
Care
- Water: Water with low to average amounts. Once established, it tolerates drought, although blooming may be affected.
- Fertilizer: Not required. For faster growth, apply a rose or all-purpose garden fertilizer in early spring.
- Pruning: No pruning is required, as the plant dies back to the ground in winter.
Expert Growing Tips For optimal growth and flowering, consider these expert tips:
- Light: Ensure your alliums receive a full day of sun for the healthiest plants and best flowering. While they can tolerate partial shade, maximize sun exposure for optimal results.
- Soil: While alliums prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5), good drainage is crucial. Avoid damp soil, especially during dormancy, to prevent bulb rot. Amend the soil with organic matter to improve drainage and moisture retention.
- Water: Alliums need infrequent watering. Rainfall often suffices, but water every 3-5 days during prolonged drought.
- Temperature and Humidity: Most alliums thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4-10, with specific hardiness varying by variety and growing conditions.
- Fertilizer: If your soil is nutrient-rich, fertilizer may not be necessary. However, if the soil is less than ideal, a balanced fertilizer as flowers start to set can help replenish energy used during blooming. Apply this in late summer or early fall.
Propagation Allium 'Bobblehead' can be propagated through division. There are two main types of alliums to consider:
- Bulb-forming alliums: These multiply slowly, forming small offsets on the original bulbs or flower head. Propagate by dividing the bulbs in late fall or early spring when offsets appear.
- Rhizome-forming alliums: Divide these when the clump appears crowded, ensuring the center of the plant remains healthy.
Hardiness Zones Allium 'Bobblehead' is hardy in USDA zones 4-8.
Uses Allium 'Bobblehead' is a versatile plant that can be incorporated into various garden settings:
- Edging: Its compact size makes it ideal for edging walkways or flower beds, adding a touch of whimsy with its bobble-like blooms.
- Flower gardens: Adds height and texture to mixed flower beds, creating visual interest with its unique foliage and globe-shaped flowers.
- Wildlife gardens: Attracts pollinators such as butterflies and bees, contributing to a thriving ecosystem in your garden.
- Pollinator gardens: Specifically supports beneficial insects, aiding in pollination and pest control.
- Cut flowers: The long-lasting blooms make excellent cut flowers, bringing the beauty of the garden indoors.
- Accent: Can be used as a focal point in the landscape, drawing attention with its distinctive form and color.
- Mass planting: Creates a dramatic display when planted in groups, adding a bold statement to borders or open spaces.
- Containers: Thrives in pots and containers, offering flexibility for placement on patios, balconies, or indoors.
- Rock gardens: Its hardiness and drought tolerance make it a perfect choice for rock gardens, where they can thrive in well-drained conditions.
Allium 'Bobblehead' is a beautiful and versatile plant that is easy to grow and maintain. Its long-lasting blooms, attractive foliage, and ability to attract pollinators make it a valuable addition to any garden. With its wide range of uses and adaptability to various conditions, Allium 'Bobblehead' is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Whether you are creating a cottage garden, a modern landscape, or simply adding a touch of whimsy to your backyard, consider adding this charming ornamental onion to your plant collection. Its unique characteristics and low-maintenance nature are sure to bring joy to any garden enthusiast.
Mature field grown bulbs shipped bare root.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
