i planted lots of the big headed alliums last year. Very pleased with them until Storm Hector laid them low. Will they return next year or are they a one hit wonder?
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
Some of mine were hit too which is disappointing as I leave the heads all summer as they give height interest. They should be fine next year and flower just as well.
I think it very much depends on your soil and the variety. Ive planted more purple sensation than I can remember and only ever get the odd one or two return, despite everyone else seeming to say they self seed like weeds. Christophii returns ok, but the white ones, mont blanc, mount everest and white giant all have returned reliably in their second year. (well until the hailstorm decapitated them all that is). We are very dry here, the soil varies around the garden, but is generally pretty decent stuff
Should I cut the stems off after the colour has gone or do I leave them to go back, or seed, or what? I have cut down the ones that were flattenend by Storm H. I am an Allium virgin as you have realised!
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
For some people they self seed freely, but takes a few years to mature to flowering size. I understand that leaving the seedhead (which is attractive in itself) doesn't affect next years flower. But maybe thats where I go wrong with them! Depending how many you have maybe half and half?
For me, when the leaves have gone brown and dried up, I take them off. I imagine most or the nutrient to restore the bulb will be in the leaves. I have put the seed heads in the ground before now, to see if they will self seed. I have no idea if it is working. I do leave some seed heads up as ornament through the summer. In the past, with giant heads, I have also clipped them and dried them as decoration in the house.
If you leave the seedheads they will dry out and they then 'fire' the seeds out when ready. I dont think you need to bury the seedheads as the bulbs pull themselves deeper into the ground each year they develop. Again this is received wisdom rather than experience, if any of mine have successfully self seeded I dont know about it yet!
How exciting. I have cut off the ones that Storm H damaged and kept some of the other heads on. Will be interesting to see what happens. Have just checked my bulb order and I did order some more so next year I will be Allium'd out if they all come back!
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
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We are very dry here, the soil varies around the garden, but is generally pretty decent stuff