I recently bought a rather special bulb: ornamental garlic.
At the time, I thought it was the same type of garlic that I plant every autumn in the vegetable garden – the one that flavors dishes so well once harvested. But when I unwrapped it, I immediately noticed that the bulb didn’t look at all the same.
Much rounder, smoother… nothing like my edible garlic heads with their well-separated cloves.
So, naturally, I asked myself: how do you plant this bulb?
“Gladiator” ornamental garlic: king of the garden
The one I chose is Allium ‘Gladiator’, a name that sets the tone.
It’s a tall variety, capable of reaching a meter or more in height, with a large purple sphere perched on a slender, straight stem.
I find its allure both graphic and poetic, a little like a purple bubble floating above the beds. Or so I hope…
And let’s be honest… it’s a small investment: €5 a bulb! Suffice to say, I intend to pamper it.
What I discovered about his plantation
After a bit of research, I realized that ornamental garlic isn’t planted in the same way as garden garlic.
You don’t separate cloves: you plant the whole bulb, pointing upwards, at a depth of about two or three times its size.
It likes sunshine, but especially well-drained soil, as it hates stagnant humidity.
And since it’s so precious, I decided to plant it in a pot, to keep a better eye on it and better control humidity.
I prepared a mixture of potting soil, garden soil and a good layer of clay balls at the bottom of the pot.
Winter warmth… or almost
As with my potted tulips, I plan to place my ornamental garlic in the tunnel greenhouse for the winter.
This shelter will protect it from excessive rain, while providing the cold it needs to flower in spring.
I’ll just be careful not to over-water: a little water from time to time, but no more.
And then I’ll wait patiently, imagining the tall stem rising in May, topped with its purple ball.
This method works quite well for tulips.
In conclusion
I don’t yet know whether my experiment will be a success, but that’s precisely what I love about gardening: trying, observing, learning.
Each bulb is a promise, a small gamble on beauty.
And if all goes well, my Gladiator will reign proudly among my pots of tulips next spring.
FAQ – Everything I know about ornamental garlic
🧄 1. Do we separate the cloves as for edible garlic?
No !
Ornamental garlic doesn’t work the same way as garden garlic.
- The whole bulb is planted, without separating it.
- Pointing upwards.
- At a depth of 2 to 3 times its height.
- It is usually planted in autumn for spring flowering.
| Type of garlic | What we plant | Depth | Spacing | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ornamental garlic | The whole bulb | 2-3 × height | 10-20 cm | Autumn |
| Edible garlic | Separated pods | 3-5 cm | 10-15 cm | Autumn / Spring |
🌸 2. Can ornamental garlic be planted in pots?
Yes, no problem – and it’s even advisable for rare or expensive bulbs.
- Choose a deep pot (25-30 cm) with a hole in the bottom.
- Add a layer of clay balls or gravel.
- Prepare a draining substrate: potting soil + garden soil + sand.
- Bury the bulb at about 10-15 cm.
- Water lightly after planting, then sparingly in winter.
- Keep the pot in the sun from spring onwards.
🌤️ 3. Can it overwinter in a tunnel greenhouse?
Yes, it’s even ideal for protecting him from the rain while keeping him as cool as he needs to be.
- Place the pot in your unheated greenhouse.
- Hardly water at all: just a little if the soil becomes very dry.
- Ensure good ventilation to avoid condensation.
- In the event of severe frost (-5°C or lower), cover the pot with a winter veil or place it on the ground against a wall.
- In February-March, when the light returns, resume watering and let nature do the rest.
🌾 What to do with Allium bulbs after flowering?
Once flowering is over, the foliage turns yellow and dries out – this is normal! The bulb then goes into vegetative rest.
- 🌼 Don’t cut the leaves right away: they continue to nourish the bulb for the next year as with tulips and all other flowering bulbs.
- 🌿 Wait until they are completely dry, then gently remove them.
- 🌸 Leave the bulb in place if the soil remains well-drained, or dig it up and store it in a dry place until the following autumn.
- 🌱 If the Allium is potted, I plan to let the rootball dry out, then store the pot away from rain and change the soil in autumn, as I do with my tulips.
| 🌷 Situation | What to do after flowering |
|---|---|
| In the ground | Leave the bulbs in place, and they’ll bloom again the following year. |
| In pots | Leave the rootball to dry, then store the pot in a dry place. |
| Heavy or poorly drained soil | The bulbs are dug up and kept dry until autumn. |
