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perennial

White Ornamental Onion

Allium maximowiczii 'Alba'

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White Ornamental Onion (Allium maximowiczii 'Alba') at Homestead Gardens

White Ornamental Onion flowers

White Ornamental Onion flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  12 inches

Spread:  12 inches

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  2a

Other Names:  Flowering Onion

Description:

Beautiful clusters of lightly scented, small white flowers bloom from late spring into early summer; unlike other selections, this narrow, grassy foliage stays throughout most of the summer months; a lovely addition to containers, borders and garden beds

Ornamental Features

White Ornamental Onion has masses of beautiful clusters of lightly-scented white flowers at the ends of the stems from late spring to early summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its grassy leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

White Ornamental Onion is an open herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

White Ornamental Onion is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

White Ornamental Onion will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by multiplication of the underground bulbs; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Garden 
Applications
Flowers  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features