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Allium leaves

LizaJLizaJ Posts: 51
in Plants
Is it ok to trim off Allium leaves to tidy them up a bit or should they really be left until they flower?

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    They need the leaves to build up the bulbs for next year. If you trim the leaves off, they will flower this year but probably not next year.   They start to look scruffy and die off as the flowers open. I find that forget me nots hide the scruffy bases.
  • LizaJLizaJ Posts: 51
    I thought that might be the case but wanted to check, thank you!

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    :)
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    leave them alone both before and after they flower
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    For next year, you could try planting something such as a hardy geranium e.g. "Rozanne" * in the same area. This will grow up to hide the dying allium foliage. 
    That's the theory anyway  :)

    * Many others to choose from.

  • brackenbracken Posts: 91
    The thing with Alliums is they need to be planted in amongst other plants so you don't see the leaves.   
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I planted Allium 'Gladiator' last autumn - bit of an error, the leaves are massive and emerging perennials are going to struggle to hide them. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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