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Allium azureum

Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
in Plants
Has anybody had any success with this blue allium?  I planted 20-30 bulbs two or three years ago and now have nice little clumps all over the place in my blue/white border (on clay) but they have never flowered.  They do get sun most of the day (we face south) but there is a big tree to the east.  Should I give up and dig them out or give them one last year?
North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone

Posts

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    The last 2-3 winters have been relatively mild ; Allium azureum (caeruleum) originates from very cold regions (ie Siberia) where they get a good winter freeze which induces  a long period of dormancy . Our stop/start winters and changeable spring weather does not always benefit plants programmed to a continental climate .
    Maybe this is a factor involved here ; after this winter here they may flower for you .
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Thanks Paul, I'll leave them in then and see what happens this year. Didn't know they came from Siberia!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Upon further research , it occurs more frequently in NW China , with lesser more scattered populations found in Siberia .
    Hope they do well for you , superb blue colouration .
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Thanks Paul, don't really mind where they come from but it's handy to know. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Mark56Mark56 Posts: 1,653
    edited April 2018
    I've had the same problem Lizzie and kind of gave up with them. Maybe I'll give them another go in pots, the flowers are much smaller than images show
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Seems a common problem with plant magazines and catalogues ; over-large images of flowers giving a misleading impression of their true size .
    Changing the subject ; with plant species , personally I think it important to know of a plants origins and natural habitat .
    This can often be a good indicator of its horticultural requisites .
    With a lot of modern cultivars and hybrids it is not so important .
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    I put 6 of them in back in september, first time I've ever grown them and they all came up (thought they would rot with the wet winter etc) and have flower buds showing already. Very open position with plenty of sun. Maybe not enough sun for yours?

    Our resident Mole even pushed one up and i pushed it back in lol, still flowering. I seem to have been lucky for once  
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    edited April 2018
    Azureum isn't a reliable allium for me either, after one season of flowers nothing next year.  I don't bother growing than particular variety anymore. 

    I agree Paul with where the plant originates from
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