Comments on: Mystery plant: A perplexing perennial

By: Mary Schier

Mary Schier — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:57:11 +0000

I planted 32 of these bulbs in my garden last fall. Most are now blooming (you can see photos on my blog), but I have a few that look just like the picture above. They all have the same exposure, but the non-bloomers are in a slightly different part of the garden (ie, where I usually put annuals) so I’ve been wondering if there is something funny with the soil there. I may dig the bulbs in the fall and move them to the blooming area.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:38:54 +0000

It’s an allium. Ornimental onion. Mine doesn’t bloom because it doesn’t get enough sun. High point though” Squirrels hate it”

By: Jaime Chismar

Jaime Chismar — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:40:18 +0000

Whoo hoo! JD and JudyBusy, please send your mailing address to greengirls@startribune.com for you mystery prize. Also… please let me know if you’d be interesting in planting a few heirloom potatoes (wink, wink).

By: Sharon

Sharon — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:29:14 +0000

Thanks everyone,

I think jd and Judy are right: it’s an allium. This spot gets maybe 5 to 6 hours of direct sun a day. Maybe not enough for allium. I have a shady yard but this particular area gets as much sun as anywhere in my yard is going to. Alas, I’ll have to admire allium from afar! My tulips bloom there though!?

Thanks, Sharon for Apple Valley

By: Jaime Chismar

Jaime Chismar — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:04:51 +0000

Hopefully, Sharon will weigh in soon with a little more info. I wonder how shady this spot is. Hmmm…

By: yvette

yvette — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:21:24 +0000

it looks a lot like the foliage of an amaryllis, minus the flower.

By: judybusy

judybusy — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:59:28 +0000

I agree that’s it’s a type of allium, aka ornamental onion. I wouldn’t know the exact varietal unless I saw it in bloom, but a good guess is A. gigantum, since they’re the most common. I’ve had the best luck with them in full sun. I had mine in partial shade for about eight years, during which time only one or two bloomed. I lost the shade and they are almost all blooming this year. They also need good amounts of moisture, such as we’ve had this spring. Some compost spread around it might help. If they don’t bloom next year after this TLC, I’d buy new bulbs. Actually, I’d do that anyway this fall, if you really want some next year!

By: Anna R

Anna R — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:17:10 +0000

Could it be an ornamental onion?

By: Jd

Jd — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:48:10 +0000

I think this mystery plant is called Allium. I have one in a fairly sunny location and it has several buds on it now. It blooms with a round, purple cluster of blossoms.

By: Beth B

Beth B — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:43:20 +0000

This will be little help, but I have the same foliage on a perennial that came from a bulb. Mine is not in full-sun, which this appears to be, and happily blooms once annually, late May, with a large pom-pom like lavendar bloom. Sadly, I don’t know what it’s called. Anyone?