I have only tried alliums a couple times and both were failures - reseeding profusely to a very boring onion plant rather than the featured bulb. I don't recall either name, although one was a really curly headed variety and I think the other was some sort of a drumstick. I'm still pulling onion babies a good 4 years later. All I can think is I must have planted hybrids that don't come true to seed. I would like to try some again. What has been your experience with alliums? I'd like a medium headed drumstick that will multiply reasonably but not scatter seed from here to forever.

Deb. I have grown a few varieties.
This one blooms close to the ground with big dramatic leaves



This is a tall drumstick, it does multiply dispite deadheading



I grew Purple Sensation which has slowly disappeared after a few seasons



I also had Giant Allium two seasons and they were gone


I also wasted a big sum of money on Silver Spring. It didnt appear again after one season. I believe my soil was too moist in the area where I put them


Globemasters didnt last either



I tried Forlock because it was so unusual. I dug them after the first year because they were listed as 34 inches but mine wrer about 50

JoAnn, are the tall drumsticks the only ones that have been good perennials for you? I tried A. nigrum a few years ago, and they lasted 3 or 4 years, but nothing after that. I'm pretty sure it wasn't too much moisture for them (the drainage is good, and it's on a slope).

Deb, I've never planted any bulbous Alliums that reseeded, but your mention of the hair Allium reminded me of something I do find and pull out of the garden a lot, that sure don't look like any of the wildlings I've ever seen around here. I had wondered if my friend who lived in this house before me had planted some hair Allium. I don't find them attractive at all, and they've been a real pain.

My tall drumsticks are in their third year.They spread like mad. I even like them before they bloom just the sticks nodding in with other plants.
The only drumstick I was immediately disappointed in was the Forelock ( J.Scheepers ) the color wasnt very great and they were too tall for the only space I had for them.
There is a new variety of this "topknot " type Red Mohican. BUT now that I see a full spectrum of images for it ,it looks like Forelock, which was too brown for my taste.
https://www.google.com/search?...

Hi, new to this thread. I'm planting alliums this year in my iris beds, and have had
differing planting instructions. One said plant 8 " deep - others said 3". Also, I'm wondering
if keeping them in the fridge for a month or more to cold-treat them is absolutely necessary.
I'm in 9b, N.CA.

Three inch holes sounds like the smaller alliums like Jennine. Deep holes are for Globemaster.