Annual Reminder-
Plant Drumstick Allium Now
I must admit I first discovered Drumstick Allium when I could not find any other allium bulb to buy...
It was late fall and I had waited too long to buy the popular large Globemaster Alliums...
What to DO? I bought the Drumstick bulbs and was thrilled at the result.
These purplish - red blooms are small - 1” -and oval shaped. They bloom in my part of the world in June-July atop wiry 24” - 30” tall stems and wave in the breeze...
They make a superb cut flower (which you can dry to be an ‘everlasting’).
THEY ARE DEER RESISTANT, squirrel resistant, easy to grow, make good cut flowers, can be used as dried flowers, and are fragrant.
Drumstick Alliums look fantastic tucked in the early summer flower border...You can add these small bulbs easily in the fall around clumps of established perennials such as Globe Thistle ( a great combo) Artemisia, Yarrow, Nepeta and Agastache.
They peek out around these plants and are a delightful addition that come back every year!
White Flower Farm sells Drumstick Allium bulbs with Paprika Achillea (Yarrow). What a colorful combination which, yes, is DEER RESISTANT...
The Paprika Yarrow has apple-red blooms that stand above lovely ferny foliage. ‘Achillea’ is named for Achilles, who supposedly learned of Yarrow’s medicinal qualities from his mentor, Chiron the Centaur, and used it to treat his men’s wounds on the battlefield.
And here is Eryngium (Sea Holly) with Drumstick Allium:
And also plant ‘Cotton Candy’ Agastache - or Hummingbird Mint - with Drumstick Allium. A wow combo! Deer Resistant. Likes full sun.
‘Cotton Candy’ Agastache is a vigorous, compact grower that blooms non-stop from midsummer through fall. The dense flower spikes have light pink flowers. It grows to about 24” tall. Agastache attract hummingbirds.
So do not overlook the Drumstick Allium - just make sure you plant in a sunny, well drained location..
and don’t worry about the deer and rabbits...YAY!
About 10 years ago I planted 100 Drumstick Alium. As soon as they flowered, the deer ate all the flowers off!!! Someone said to me 'I guess they like onions!' At least my heard did! But thanks for the reminder. I'll plant some again!
A great reminder, Jan. I have quite a few of these and love the. There is always room for more.