Allium bloemen aquarel

Organic allium

Organically grown allium

The organic alliums that Bloemoloog offers are also known as ornamental onions, or onion bulbs. They belong to the allium family (Alliaceae), which also includes garlic and onion. With more than 1000 different types, of which about 100 ornamental onions, allium offers a beautiful variation. One of the most famous types is the purple 'Purple Sensation' and next to wild garlic, the white 'Mount Everest'.

These bulbous or umbel flowers often have star- or pearl-shaped flowers that grow on high and stable flower stems. Varying from very small-flowered such as the Allium 'Cowanii' or gigantic such as the Allium 'Schubertii' . In addition, there are also many low species that decorate the borders annually. In the assortment of the Bloemoloog the height varies from 30 centimeters to a meter.

Organic Alliums for Bees

Ornamental onions are very popular with insects, such as bees and butterflies. Their flowers contain a lot of nectar and pollen, making them a valuable food source for these important pollinators. The color of the Allium 'Sphaerocephalon', for example, is very attractive to bees, because ultraviolet lights up for bee eyes. This makes it very important that allium flowers come from organically grown plants. Adding organic ornamental onions to your garden can help create a blooming and vibrant environment and contribute to biodiversity.

Allium as a host plant

A host plant such as Allium 'Ampeloprasum' is a plant species on which a particular insect, such as a caterpillar or larva, feeds or lays its eggs. These plants play a crucial role in the life cycle of many insects, as they serve as a food source or a suitable location for laying eggs. Host plants may contain specific chemicals that are necessary for the insect to develop or that help the insect defend itself from predators.

Sustainable flower bulbs

A special feature of ornamental onions is their longevity and durability. Most ornamental onions are perennials, meaning they return and bloom again year after year.

The naturalizing alliums are disease resistant and form sturdy bulbs underground, which store the energy and nutrients needed to survive and produce flowers the following growing season. As the bulbs multiply, they can spread and slowly form a larger clump, making your garden more impressive over the years.

How, where and when do I plant allium?

Allium flower bulbs are cold germinators and need a cold period. Plant the bulbs, preferably in groups, from October to January in the ground. They prefer well-drained soil, preferably a chalky sandy soil and a sunny to semi-shaded location.

The planting depth is 2 to 3 times the size of the flower bulb itself and the planting distance is 2 to 3 times the width of the flower bulb itself.

Allium plants such as the 'Tuberosum', also known as garlic shives, are perennials with a root system instead of a flower bulb. These can also be planted in the spring for the same year flowering. For the correct planting method we refer to the relevant products.

Caring for the allium

Ornamental onions are generally hardy and require little water once established. After flowering, the dead flower stems can be removed, but we recommend leaving the leaves so that the bulb can store energy for the next flowering cycle.

After flowering, you can choose to leave the bulbs in the ground, but they can also be taken out of the ground for propagation during the summer months, to separate the small bulbs and plant them separately in other places in the garden. As soon as it is October, the bulbs can be planted in the ground again.

Where can I buy organic allium bulbs?

From June to January, organic allium bulbs can be ordered from Bloemoloog. These are delivered from September during the planting season. From August to January, the organic flower bulbs can be picked out of the boxes at our market stall. Visit us for this at one of our markets .

Buy organic garlic chives

The Allium 'Tuberosum', also called garlic chives or Chinese chives, can be ordered from January to June at Bloemoloog.nl under the category 'Summer bloomers'. From March to June, while stocks last, they can be picked out of the boxes at one of our markets.

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Spring-flowering bulbs

  • Organic spring bulbs

    Spring flowering bulbs and tubers are popular plants that produce beautiful flowers from early spring to summer. Because of their early flowering, they can be combined well with perennials, when they still have to grow a bit.

    Tulips are probably the most well-known spring flowers. They come in many different colours, shapes and sizes. Daffodils are known for their cheerful yellow flowers, but they also come in other colours such as white and orange. Crocuses are small bulbous plants with striking flowers in shades of purple, yellow and white. They are often the first flowers to appear in the spring. Hyacinths have fragrant flowers in various colours, such as pink, purple, blue and white. They are often planted in borders, flower beds or pots.

    Benefits of organic spring bulbs

    When you choose organic flower bulbs that bloom in the spring, you can be sure that no chemicals or pesticides end up in the garden. These pesticides are harmful to bees and ensure that bees can no longer find their way to their nesting place. As a result, more and more bee species have been added to the red list in recent years, together we can still do something about this!

    Flower bulbs for wild bees

    Did you know that there are wild bees that lay eggs in their nest that then hatch in early spring? These newborn insect helpers immediately go in search of food in the area. There are also insects that have been hibernating and are very much looking for a hearty breakfast; the blooming flowers where nectar and pollen can be found! Just after winter, there is little green and edible to be found for these insects. Planting early blooming flower bulbs ensures that there is food and the insects can gain strength for the summer that is coming.

    Organic growers

    The organic growers we work with not only grow the most beautiful, but also the strongest products. The growers grow with varieties and types of flowers and plants that experience has shown to be virus-resistant, so that they do not have to use chemicals and pesticides. The organic grower looks for natural remedies and solutions against diseases and/or pests. All our flower bulbs are controlled organic; both we as Bloemoloog and the growers have a SKAL certificate.

    When do you plant spring bulbs?

    The spring flowering bulbs are planted from autumn to January. Flower bulbs that need to be taken out of the ground in the summer after flowering are taken out of the ground from the end of July and stored until the new planting time in autumn.

    What to do after flowering

    When spring bloomers have finished blooming, cut off the wilted flowers at the top of the flower stem. Let the rest of the plant die back naturally, so that it can still receive maximum energy from the sun.

    How do you store spring bulbs?

    If you have purchased flower bulbs from us and had them delivered to your home and you want to leave the flower bulbs for a while, we advise you to open the box and store them in a ventilated, cool place until you want to plant them in the ground.

    Flower bulbs that you take out of the ground after flowering, you store in a warm place in the shed, for example. To prevent mice from eating the bulbs during that period, you can also hang the flower bulbs in a bag.

  • Where is the best place to plant spring bulbs?

    Spring bloomers are flowers that bloom in the spring, between January and June. There are many different types of bulbs that bloom in the spring, which are suitable for different types of gardens and soil types. For example, there are bulb plants that like to catch a glimpse of the sun during flowering, but like to be covered by a tree during the dormant period in the summer.

    Spring bloomers in the sun

    Many spring bloomers need a lot of sun to bloom well and grow for the following year. These flowers can be planted in full sun:

    Spring bloomers in the shade

    Some spring bloomers also grow and bloom well in the shade, such as:

    Spring bloomers in moist soils

    There are also flower bulbs that can be planted in wet soil. Some species from the Floriologist's collection are:

    Conclusion

    There are many different types of spring bloomers that are suitable for different types of gardens and soil types. Whether a spring bloomer can grow in the sun or shade depends on the specific type. One person likes dry soil and another prefers wet feet. So there is a suitable spring bloomer for every garden.

    Tips for a flowery garden

    Plant different types of flowers, each with its own flowering time, so that there are flowers in bloom throughout the spring and there is food for bees and other insects in the garden. Do you also want to arrange your garden/box in such a way that you can enjoy flowers throughout the spring and the bees with it? Feel free to send us a message or ask us at the market stall, we are happy to think along! Also go for more biodiversity in the garden and enjoy the first flowers and colors in the garden after the cold and dark winter!

    Order spring bloomers in advance

    Pre-sales for spring-flowering flower bulbs will start in the Bloemoloog webshop from 1 June.

    During the pre-sale you can order your desired products in advance, so you can be sure that your favorite flowers are still in stock and we will send your package with PostNL as soon as the planting time arrives.

    The flower bulbs ordered in the pre-sale will be delivered mid-September. From this moment on, the flower bulbs can be planted directly in the garden or in containers on the balcony.

    Buy spring bulbs

    The spring bloomers can be ordered from Bloemoloog from June to January and are available at one of our markets from August to January.

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