General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Plant Height: 12 to 36 inches
Leaves: Deciduous
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Pink
Purple
Other: rosy purple hue
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer
Other: reportedly forcible
Underground structures: Bulb
Uses: Provides winter interest
Dynamic Accumulator: K (Potassium)
Ca (Calcium)
Na (Sodium)
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Propagation: Seeds: Sow in situ
Start indoors
Propagation: Other methods: Bulbs
Pollinators: Bees
Various insects
Containers: Suitable in 1 gallon
Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots

Image
Common names
  • Ornamental Onion
  • Tumbleweed Onion
  • Sparkler Allium
  • Schubert Onion
  • UFO Allium

Photo Gallery
Location: Kalama, wa
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Kalama, wa
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2011-05-19
Location: Riverhead, NY
Date: 2019-05-22
We're loving these
Location: Kalama, wa
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Kalama, wa
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Riverhead, NY
Date: 2019-05-22
Location: Apple Valley MN
Date: 2018-07-24
Location: My Cape Cod garden
Date: 2021-05-31
Photo by jmorth
Location: My garden in N E Pa. 
Date: 2017-05-27
Location: Apple Valley MN
Date: 2018-06-16
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2011-05-23
Location: central Illinois
Date: 5-17-11
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2019-19-23
Location: RHS Harlow Carr, Yorkshire UK
Date: 2022-06-24
WS Wanmenhoven plant stand at the 2022 flower show
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2011-09-11
Location: Lucketts, Loudoun County, Virginia
Date: 2012-05-08
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2018-10-27
Location: Belmont garden - full sun
Date: 2015-05-28
Just before it will explode into many tiny blooms.
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2011-05-19
Photo by Legalily
Location: My Northeastern Indiana Gardens - Zone 5b
Date: 2012-06-16
Seed head as centerpiece

Photo courtesy of Annie's Annuals and Perennials
Location: Belmont Iris garden - full sun
Date: 2015-06-04
Location: Belmont Iris garden - full sun
Date: 2015-06-04
Location: Harrogate Spring Flower Show 2015, Yorkshire, UK
Date: 2015-04-25
Warmenhoven nurseries display
Photo by In2art
Location: Belmont garden extension.
Date: 2013-0527
Location: Belmont garden extension.
Date: 2013-0531
Left of Beverly Sills iris.
Location: Belmont garden extension.
Date: 2014-0518
Bud just beginning to open.
Location: Belmont garden extension.
Date: 2014-05-26
Bud still in the opening stages.
Location: Belmont garden extension.
Date: 2014-05-28
"Fireworks" just beginning here.
Location: Belmont garden extension.
Date: 2014-0527
Short plant - maybe 10 to 12" in height.
Location: Whitesboro, TX
Date: 2018-05-17
Image courtesy of The Shady Spot Iris. All rights reserved.
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2011-05-17

One of my favorite alliums. Blooms like fireworks ;)
Location: Hendersonville,  NC
Date: 2016-04-28
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2013-10-05
Location: Lucketts, Loudoun County, Virginia
Date: 2012-05-08
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2015-02-20
Location: central Illinois
Date: 4-23-12
Location: My Northeastern Indiana Gardens - Zone 5b
Date: 2012-05-18
Location: My Northeastern Indiana Gardens - Zone 5b
Date: 2012-05-21
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2011-05-13
1st floret

Date: 2011-06-14
Location: central Illinois
Date: 5-5-12

Photo courtesy of Annie's Annuals and Perennials
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by jmorth (central Illinois) on Nov 18, 2011 2:04 PM concerning plant:
    One of the most unique flower presentations out there.
    Volleyball to beach ball sized flower groups of differing lengths composed of star shaped florets. Shorter florets grow out a couple inches - female; longer (outer ring) out to 8"+ - male. 2 tier effect.
    One supplier describes it as 'bizarre spaceship with many antennas' (B&B). May be suitable for forcing. Most bulbs imported from Israel (I think). Another description says it presents a fireworks-like appearance (JS).
    First time viewers always inquire and are usually utterly amazed.
    Circa 1896. Another supplier lists a historical cultural date of 1594.
    One's grown in my garden (Z6a/5b) usually last but one season if it's a cold season, warmer winters they survive.
    Supposedly forcible over winter; my first attempt didn't.
  • Posted by In2art (Bellevue, WA - Zone 8a) on Apr 19, 2021 3:17 PM concerning plant:
    I winter sowed Allium schubertii seeds in December. Germination was good. I just potted up 2 flats today. One was into a deep Anderson flat with landscape cloth in the bottom. The others were potted up into individual tall band pots. I wish I had done more research in advance, as great drainage is a must. I will need to be careful with watering...and remember to put them under cover in fall so that they stay dry.
Plant Events from our members
jmorth On September 30, 2014 Obtained plant
from John Scheepers (5)
Planted them 10-1-14
Catmint20906 On May 12, 2015 Bloomed
» Post your own event for this plant

Discussion Threads about this plant
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Love these! by plantinthings Jun 17, 2012 2:35 AM 2
ornamental onion bulbs by 718CAMBRIDGE Feb 2, 2017 6:25 PM 1

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