The blue globe onion is a perennial bulb from the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). The bulb, native to Central Asia and northeastern China, is found in dry slopes, steppes and plains in these regions. The species epithet is Latin for "dark blue" in reference to its showy blue flowers. The bulb grows easily in humus-rich, well-drained, moist to dry loams in full sun. It does best in dry conditions, as bulbs may rot in excessively moist soil. Blue flowers form in 1-inch clusters atop 1- to 2-foot stiff stems, May through June. Leaves on the lower stem often disappear by blooming time. The Blue Globe Onion spreads by bulblets and self-seeding but is not considered aggressive. Plant bulbs four to six inches deep or divide established plants in the fall for spring blooms. A beautiful globe-shaped flower head aloft a tall, elegant stem makes this plant a striking addition to any garden. Flower heads remain upright long after the blooms have faded and create sculptural interest. These showy bulbs received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit. Bulbs can be used in perennial beds, rock gardens, meadows, cottage garden and naturalized areas. They can be planted in clusters or within a perennial bed for a special pop of color. They are considered a good cutting flower, attract butterflies, and are deer resistant. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: There are no serious insect or disease problems. May be susceptible to downy mildew. It is considered mildly toxic VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Allium .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Linear green leaves huge the lower stem and often are gone by bloom time.
Flower color
Blue
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers are small, 6-parted, in a 1-inch cluster at the top of a 20- to 24-inch naked stem. Blooms late spring in May-June
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Capsule
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Tall naked smooth green stem
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Central Asia and Northeastern China
Wildlife value
Flowers attract bees and butterflies
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Play value
Attracts Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Flowers have a mildly bitter flavor and, like the young leaves, can be eaten in small quantities raw in salads and sandwiches or cooked in tea and soups.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Meadow
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; Rock Garden