Allium 2011

[TheOnionMan]

I got this allium about 15 years ago as either an A. cyaneum or A. sikkimense. The original clump has grown in its through since I got it, and it blooms well each year. The first picture shows this plant in 2009, the second picture is of a much younger plant, and the third a detail of the younger plant, both taken this year. It has grass-like leaves, grows to 10-15 cm (4-6 in), and starts blooming mid to late July.

Is it an A. cyaneum or an A. sikkimense, or neither?

Thank you,
Knud

Knud, I differ with the previous responses.  The distinctions between A. cyaneum and A. sikkimense (and beesianum) are simple, if the stamens are well exserted, it is A. cyaneum, if the stamens are included, it is Allium sikkimense (or beesianum)... this a tried and true simplification for blue-flowered allium plants from China in cultivation, but there's more to the story, so see earlier discussion on the same topic in the link below. Your plant is Allium cyaneum, in a lovely form, most definitely not sikkimense.  There are foliar differences too, and here again your plant is a match for A. cyaneum.

This whole page on SRGC - Allium 2010 thread is pertinent to the Allium cyaneum vs. sikkimense topic:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5766.msg160040#msg160040
...so is this page:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5766.msg159809#msg159809

mini-key to differentiate A. cyaneum, sikkimense, beesianum:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5766.msg159956#msg159956

[Stephenb]

One of Mark's links went to a thread about Allium forrestii. Arisaema kindly sent me a bit last year and it started flowering last week, much smaller than I'd expected, here it is:

[wmel]

I got this allium about 15 years ago as either an A. cyaneum or A. sikkimense. The original clump has grown in its through since I got it, and it blooms well each year. The first picture shows this plant in 2009, the second picture is of a much younger plant, and the third a detail of the younger plant, both taken this year. It has grass-like leaves, grows to 10-15 cm (4-6 in), and starts blooming mid to late July.

Is it an A. cyaneum or an A. sikkimense, or neither?

Thank you,
Knud

It looks like a. sikkemense to me, maby a. beesianum??

I post from each a photo  ( a. cyaneum and a. beesianum)

It is indeed a. cyaneum I can see now!  sorry
My a. cyaneum has a much darker colour??!!

[TheOnionMan]

One of Mark's links went to a thread about Allium forrestii. Arisaema kindly sent me a bit last year and it started flowering last week, much smaller than I'd expected, here it is:

Stephen, it looks like both of us were on the receiving end of Arisaema's generosity.  I was so excited to see two buds of A. forrestii coming along earlier this season, unfortunately both were damaged, the stems nearly severed in half with the shriveling remnants dangling, perhaps cutworms got to it.  The plants themselves still look good, small with distinctively silvery-blue leaves, just as in your photo.  I'm so glad to see that it flowered for you.

Trying to keep stuff watered here, the next few days predicted to be near 100 F (37 C) after a long stretch of hot days, my A. henryi is budded, one of the rare blue-flowered Chinese species.  Last year, as I recall only 2 stems survived being nipped off, probably by a rabbit of groundhog that have moved into the yard.

[bulborum]

Mark

It seems you have to invite us for a rabbit barbecue soon



Roland

[TheOnionMan]

Mark

It seems you have to invite us for a rabbit barbecue soon

Roland

I'm happy to arrange such an event, and we can throw in a groundhog, some squirrels, and a soupçon of chipmunks; served shish kabob style.   

[wmel]

I just went out looking for my a. cyaneum and I could make some (if I may say so) beautiful photos........

A. Cyaneum.

[wmel]

some more allium flowering today....

a. amethystinum
a. Dark Eyes
a. carinatum
a. carinatum Album
a. oleraceum

[wmel]

And again some more....

a. scabriflorum
a. schubertii seeds
a. Hairy Friend cutting for flowers

[Stephenb]

Wietse: Your range of Alliums is never-ending....Fantastic!

Mark: There are advantages of living in the north - none of these creatures to contend with and even deer are rare in my garden. Sorry to hear that your forrestii didn't make it to flowering.

Thanks also for your fantastic article on all the Alliums you dream about (in the NARGS journal). Shame most of them are impossible to get. You end with a hint that you will be continuing the quest for the dream onions for another 40 years. Best news all week month!

 

[Maggi Young]

NARGS journal just arrived here so enjoying Mark's second allium article.
Long life to Mark and the onions, I say!

[TheOnionMan]

some more allium flowering today....

a. amethystinum
a. Dark Eyes
a. carinatum
a. carinatum Album
a. oleraceum

Good stuff Wietse!  Great closeup of A. amethystinum.  I see no bulbils in the inflorescences of Allium carinatum, so these are actually the non-bulbilliferous form or Allium carinatum ssp. pulchellum. The deep pink form is an excellent color form.

[TheOnionMan]

And again some more....

a. scabriflorum
a. schubertii seeds
a. Hairy Friend cutting for flowers

Weitse, OH MY GOODNESS, you're growing A. scabriflorum!!! What a beautiful specimen, one of the very few blue-flowered "drumstick" onions, and a most excellent form of it too. Please tell us more about where this one came from, someplace in Turkey I'm sure, bout would like to know the details.  Why is this desirable species not better known and distributed in cultivation... I am most envious

[TheOnionMan]

NARGS journal just arrived here so enjoying Mark's second allium article.
Long life to Mark and the onions, I say!

Thanks Maggi, glad I got this done while I was unemployed, never would have finished it otherwise!

[wmel]

This evening I was walking and looking between the alliums, and I saw something special in the flowering seedlings of a. macranthum;
a pure White flower!! It's not a very good photo because it's already getting dark outside a little. I think it's a beauty