Upright Alliums

Novice23

I have masses of alliums of all different types and they grow well.  However, the largest ones, giganteum and christophii, although they grow well they do not seem to remain upright, often leaning across the garden.  Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong, and how to keep them tall and upright next year.  Thanks for any ideas.

dcrook

Hi did anyone provide answers to this? I have the same issue. I fear I may have planted mine too shallow.  Keen to work out a solution since I just planted a lot more!  I saw in a neighbour's garden some wire contraption holding up a tall allium.  Wondering if others do this?

TenN

I bought a load of crescent and round plant supports from a car boot last year and they've made all the difference to aliums, crocosima, and lavender. They're all thin and rusty so can't be seen hidden in other foliage. Most GCs have them.

Fairygirl

If they're not in full sun, or have no support round them [ ie other planting or a physical one] they'll tend to lean towards the light. 

Novice23

Thank you both for your suggestions.  I have some supports which I use for a very tall but floppy scabious, also use bamboo stakes and string around the Crosmosia, so will try staking the alliums next year.  It is usually the early Alliums that I have a problem with, but the later and summer ones are OK, but guess that is because there are other plants growing which hold them up.   

Thanks again Fairygirl and Nickten. 

fidgetbones

Plant deeper, so the stem gets some support from the ground. It also stops the bulbs from splitting into lots of small ones if they are planted deeper.  Most of my alliums I plant 6 inch deep. I dug some up which were as big as a fist.

Novice23

Thanks Fidgetbones.  I will certainly plant future ones deeper.  Might just put lots of mulch over the existing ones - would that help?