November 25, 2022

The Latest-Blooming Alliums

allium ozawa

The garden is sleeping now, but some plants, and even blooms, are holding on to bits of color during the transition to winter. One of those plants is the late-blooming Allium (A. thunbergii), 'Ozawa.' The photo above is from earlier in the season (mid-October), but this is the latest-blooming Allium in my garden. 'Ozawa' is hardy to USDA zone 4.

ozawa caged

It's a petite little variety, only about a foot tall, and it forms a compact clump that comes back every year, but doesn't spread much (I have two clumps). Unlike my other Alliums, this one must be caged; if not, unfortunately the rabbits will eat the buds and blooms. Although there are fewer pollinators active when it's blooming in October and November, I have seen some on it; particularly honeybees and some flies.

ozawa november

It's even pretty and colorful after the blooms fade and the seeds start to form. At this point, it tends to shift from a light lavender color to bright pink.

ozawa in snow

Last week, after our first snow (which is melted now), I noticed the Allium's sweet spot of color. Beyond the rabbit challenge, it's any easy addition to the garden for late-season interest.

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I hope my American friends had a Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Holidays to all in the weeks ahead!

18 comments:

  1. That's a lovely Allium, Beth, especially juxtaposed against the snowy background. Alliums don't generally do well in my climate but that didn't stop me from planting 75 Allium bulbs this fall ;)

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    1. Wow, 75 Allium bulbs! Good for you; I hope you'll have success. :)

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  2. It really is a pretty color and I like that "spot" of color against the snow!

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    1. I've been happy with most of the Alliums I've planted, but this one is special because of its timing...blooming just before the first frosts and freezes. :)

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  3. Love how the garden continues to be lovely...

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    1. Yes, it's pretty with the snow, too. But it's fun to find some other colors here and there, as well, including fading blooms. :)

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  4. How lovely to see that spot of color this late. But rabbits! You just never know what they are going to attack.

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    1. Yes, I looked today, and they're still colorful, though the glow is fading. I'm so glad I planted them, though. The rabbits don't eat my other Alliums, just these. Oh well....

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  5. Beautiful!!
    We are receiving snow today, up to 6 inches as I type this note.
    Carla

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    1. Hi Carla: I didn't know this was you or I would have accepted your comment earlier. I try to avoid accepting anonymous comments for various reasons. We're going back and forth with the wintery/autumnal weather. Christmas week looks colder.

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  6. Dainty and delicate in appearance. I like dainty and delicate.

    Darn rabbits!

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    1. Yes, the rabbits are my biggest challenge. :( A little caging and the plants are OK. These are the only Alliums in my garden that the rabbits eat.

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  7. You sure know how to describe your beautiful flowers. Onward to happy celebrations.

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  8. I love the sweet Allium poking its head from beneath the snow…so pretty!

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    1. Yes, it is a hopeful little plant. Love the bright blooms at the end of the season. :)

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  9. I wonder if the rabbits like it, if you could eat it too?

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    1. That's a good question, Diana. Since it's an Allium, probably, although the taste? Maybe not as good as the onions we typically eat? I'll do a little researching...

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