Sad Alliums!

Tanty2

Hi - Last year I planted Allium Giganteum and Ambassador and they were both amazing - exactly as they should be.  This year, they're both half the height they're supposed to be with small flowerheads.  Any ideas what might be affecting them, please, cos I'm baffled!  Ta

Hostafan1

did you feed and water them as the flowers were passing last year?

Tanty2

Too long ago to remember clearly but possibly not...

Hostafan1

they need feeding as the flowers pass to provide stored energy for the following year's flowers

Tanty2

Thanks for the advice, I'll make sure they get all the necessary tlc this year

WildFlower_UK

I have bought two Gladiator Alliums as part of a planter display this year. They were bought in flower and are in a largish planter roughly L90xW40xH45cm, with a mix of grasses and herbs (currently small plants). They were planted in compost mixed with a bit of horticultural grit. Should I add feed to just around the base of the Alliums when the flower head starts to die off? And when can the yellow leaves be removed?

Hostafan1

you don't usually feed herbs, they go a bit soft and floppy ( and that's no good to anyone )

rebeccamM6CA_Gn6

You can remove the yellow allium leaves as soon as the plant flowers - unlike other bulbs. But the do need a good feed as they go over. I would suggest moving them elsewhere as herbs and alliums need different care out of season as the comment above mentioned. My alliums have really struggled in height colour and strength  as they don’t get afternoon sun and were in a clay soil. Next year I will stick to sun all day and sandy soil!