Skip to product info
SALE
Ships in FALL

Schubert's Allium

Allium schubertii

$8.49
$8.49 $9.99
per Bag of 2
Sale | Save 15%
ZONES  4-10 | Good to grow! Zone
Bulk Savings - Buy More, Save More!
No shipping data More Information

Shubert’s Allium (Allium schubertii) lights up your garden with fireworks! From late spring to early summer this “Tumbleweed Onion” holds court with sturdy stems and large sparkling pink to violet flower clusters. At 16-20" tall this favorite Allium has everything you’ll need for a unique, fun-loving garden accent.

Videos
 

More Like This

Description

Shubert’s Allium (Allium schubertii), also known as Tumbleweed Onion, is a must-have for the late spring flower garden. Like garden sparklers, these whimsical Allium are 16-20" tall, with long-lasting 9-12" spherical blooms. Drought tolerant once established, they will also naturalize nicely. The strap-like blue green foliage adds a nice element as well and the flower spikes make great cut flowers. Leave some standing in the garden though, as once dried out they continue to add a sculptural element to your flower bed. Plant Schubert’s Allium with other late spring blooming bulbs such as Tulips, Daffodils, and Iris; or perennials such as Nepeta, Oriental poppy, Salvia or Penstemon. Deer and rabbits stay away – some gardeners even weave them through the garden as a pest deterrent. Happy in a sun to part shade location (make sure they get at least six hours of sunk) with compost enriched, well-drained soil. 16-20" tall x 12-18" wide.

Planting & Care

Tips on Growing Fall Planted Flower Bulbs

When you receive your fall bulbs (tulips, daffodils, etc.) keep them in a dry, dark, cool place until ready to plant. They need air circulation so they will not collect moisture and rot. Planting times can vary from early October in the North to mid-to-late November in the southern regions. A good rule of thumb is to plant them about 6 weeks before the ground is frozen or after the first hard freeze.

Soil Preparation for Bulbs

A compost-enriched, well-drained soil is best. Incorporate a good quality organic compost as needed. Yum Yum Mix® is recommended as an excellent source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium needed for strong plants and healthy roots. Mix a small amount into the bottom of the hole before planting your bulbs.

Many bulbs prefer full sun exposure. However, Muscaria, Allium, Galanthus, Hyacinthoides, Scilla and many Daffodils will tolerate partial shade and bloom well.
Pink daffodils will hold their color longer if planted in dappled shade or morning sun/afternoon shade.

After planting, add a top dressing of compost or other organic material and water in thoroughly. If your winter is dry, water every three to four weeks throughout the winter and add more mulch if necessary.

Protect your Bulbs

Apply a mole or gopher repellent to the surface of the ground to protect bulbs from these burrowing mammals.

After your Bulbs have Bloomed

Once your bulbs have bloomed, allow the bulb foliage to brown and fade naturally since the leaves are feeding the bulb in the ground. Removal of foliage weakens the bulb and leads to fewer blooms the following year. Planting your bulbs amongst your perennials is one way to conceal the dying bulb foliage. The perennials begin to grow and fill out as the bulb foliage dies back. The perennials will then provide foliage and color in the garden from late spring through the summer and into fall. Regular fertilization with balanced organic or natural fertilizer and a re-application of mulch each fall will ensure more and more beautiful spring bulb blooms for many years!

Shipping

No shipping data

As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (802) 227-7200 or contact us by email or chat.

View

Key Features

Light Requirements

  • Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade
  • Full Sun

Water Tolerance

Low-Water

Bloom Time

Late spring to early summer

Advantages

  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Autumn Interest
  • Easy To Grow
  • Cut Flowers
  • Small Spaces
  • Rock Gardens
  • Deer Resistant
  • Rabbit Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

16-20" tall

Bulb Spacing

3 bulbs per sq ft

Soil Type

  • Average Soil
  • Sandy Soil
  • Compost Enriched Garden Loam Soil
  • Low Fertility Soil
  • Well-Drained Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Average
  • Moist / Wet
  • Waterwise

Planting Depth

Plant 8" deep

Planting Time

  • Fall

Prohibited

  • Idaho
  • Oregon
  • Washington

Growing Zones

  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9
  • Zone 10

Poisonous or Toxic to Animals

Toxic to dogs and cats.

Neonicotinoid Free

No
Expand For More

Overall rating: 4.5 / 5 from 4 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: [].

Review highlights

Reviews

Something crazy

"Bought 6 bulbs 2 seasons ago. 5 grew. We have a large spring snail problem and I think that's what might have gotten the one. This season, only 1 came back. It also might be our heavy clay soil; the bulbs are huge and maybe rotted over the winter. However, I have no problem with drumstick allium thriving and multiplying in the same area. These are shorter than the drumstick (about 1 foot here) and should be set apart in the front of the border or they get covered up. Really fun flowers though!"

— Kathy (4/5)

Do Try Schubertii -- You'll Be Glad You Did

"This cultivar will surely add some pizzazz to the garden with its sparkler-like starburst form. The stems are shorter than most alliums, so keep it forward where it won't get hidden. It's also quite wide, and the flowers are tiny -- allow enough space around it to show if off without competition. Easy care, no pests! Love it."

— Once B. (5/5)

Missed Out

"Unfortunately, they bloomed while I was on vacation so I missed out. There are lots of seed pods on the bulb."

— NK (4/5)

Need to get more of these!

"They're less that half the height they should be but the flower is still spectacular. Not sure why. Maybe they don't grow to full height the first year? Need to amend my soil? I'm happy with them regardless."

— Sfox (5/5)

Q&A

Your Recently Viewed