Product Description
Allium 'Lavender Bubbles' PP31126 (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: Ornamental Onion
Nearing the end of summer, this beautiful perennial brings life to a garden with its beautiful bubble-shaped flowers. Dark dusty purple flower globes are produced above attractive glaucous blue-green foliage. The leaf blades twist and curl to provide additional interest. Compared to the popular 'Millenium', 'Lavender Bubbles' blooms later and is a darker shade of purple. Like other Allium, 'Lavender Bubbles' is carefree, easy to grow, and deer and rabbit resistant.
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.
Cannot ship to Idaho.
Height: 12.0-14.0 Inches
Spread: 20.0-22.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: Purple shades
Foliage Color: Green / Blue shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) to Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Average Water Needs
Poor to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Midsummer - Late Summer
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 'Lavender Bubbles' is a captivating hybrid ornamental onion variety that has gained popularity for its unique characteristics and ease of care. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential information you need to cultivate and enjoy this captivating plant in your garden.
Characteristics
Allium 'Lavender Bubbles' is admired for its distinctive features, which include:
- Hybrid Variety: 'Lavender Bubbles' is a unique hybrid variety developed for its exceptional qualities.
- Late-blooming: Unlike many other allium varieties, 'Lavender Bubbles' blooms in late summer to early fall, extending the season of interest in your garden. This makes it a valuable addition to gardens looking to maintain a vibrant display of color late in the season.
- Dark purple flowers: The plant boasts stunning, deep purple, globe-shaped flower clusters that resemble lavender bubbles, adding a touch of whimsy to the garden. These eye-catching blooms, reaching 3.5 inches wide, rise above the foliage on sturdy stems.
- Twisted and curled foliage: The dusty blue-green leaves of 'Lavender Bubbles' are slightly twisted and curled, adding visual interest even when the plant is not in bloom.
- Compact size: This allium variety typically reaches a height of 12-14 inches and a width of 20-22 inches, making it suitable for various garden settings, including borders, rock gardens, and containers.
- Fragrant: Both the flowers and foliage of 'Lavender Bubbles' have a subtle onion scent, which can be appealing to humans but deters deer and rabbits.
- Attracts Pollinators: 'Lavender Bubbles' is a magnet for beneficial pollinators, especially butterflies and honeybees, contributing to a thriving garden ecosystem.
- Winter Interest: The seed heads of 'Lavender Bubbles' remain throughout the fall, adding visual interest to the garden even after the flowers have faded. The flowers dry to a tan color and remain upright throughout the winter, providing further interest.
- Origin of the Name: The name Allium comes from the classical Latin name for garlic.
- Plant Patent: This cultivar is protected under plant patent number PP31126.
Care Requirements
Allium 'Lavender Bubbles' is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in a variety of conditions. Here are some essential care tips:
- Sunlight: Plant 'Lavender Bubbles' in a location that receives full sun to light shade. While it prefers full sun, it can benefit from some afternoon shade in hot climates.
- Soil: Well-drained soil is crucial for this allium. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils. If planting in clay soil, amend it with compost to improve drainage.
- Watering: Once established, 'Lavender Bubbles' is relatively drought-tolerant. Water sparingly during dry periods, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering, especially during the dormant season, as it can lead to bulb rot.
- Fertilizing: A balanced fertilizer applied at planting time and a light feeding in spring can promote healthy growth and abundant flowering.
- Pruning: Deadhead the faded flowers to prevent unwanted seeding and encourage the plant to focus its energy on bulb development. Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering, as it helps the bulbs store energy for the next growing season.
- Mulching: Apply organic mulch, such as compost or bark chips, around the base of the plant in spring to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. A layer of mulch in late autumn can help protect the bulbs from extreme cold.
- Propagation: You can propagate 'Lavender Bubbles' in the fall by digging it up and dividing the rhizome with the bulblets attached.
- Hardiness Zones: 'Lavender Bubbles' is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4-8, meaning it can tolerate a wide range of temperatures.
- Coastal Conditions: This allium is known to tolerate coastal conditions well, making it a suitable choice for gardens near the sea.
Problems
While generally low-maintenance, 'Lavender Bubbles' can be susceptible to certain problems:
- Bulb rot: This can occur in overly moist soils, so ensure proper drainage.
- Mildew, rust, and leaf spots: These fungal diseases can affect the foliage.
- Thrips: These tiny insects can sometimes infest the plant.
Regularly monitoring your plants and taking appropriate measures can help prevent or address these issues.
Uses
Allium 'Lavender Bubbles' is a versatile plant with various uses in the garden:
- Borders and beds: Its compact size and vibrant flowers make it an excellent addition to mixed borders and flower beds.
- Cottage gardens: The informal and charming nature of 'Lavender Bubbles' blends well with the aesthetic of cottage gardens.
- Containers: This allium thrives in containers, making it suitable for patios, balconies, and small gardens.
- Cut flowers: The long-lasting blooms of 'Lavender Bubbles' can be used in fresh cut flower arrangements, adding a unique touch to bouquets.
- Pollinator gardens: The flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem.
- Ground Cover: 'Lavender Bubbles' can also serve as an attractive and low-maintenance ground cover.
- Naturalizing: This allium can naturalize and be left undisturbed for years, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners.
- Non-culinary: While belonging to the onion family, Allium 'Lavender Bubbles' is not used for culinary purposes.
Allium 'Lavender Bubbles' is a delightful addition to any garden. Its unique characteristics, low-maintenance nature, and versatility make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. With its late-blooming flowers, captivating foliage, and low-maintenance nature, Allium 'Lavender Bubbles' is a true gem for any garden. By following the care tips outlined in this guide, you can enjoy the beauty and charm of this captivating ornamental onion for years to come.
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!
