Bizar Allium Allium 'Bizar'
ABOUT
Allium 'Bizar' is a unique ornamental onion variety known for its striking and distinctive appearance. This plant has a bold and architectural form, featuring a rosette of lush, green, strap-like leaves that provide a vibrant backdrop. As the main attraction, the Allium 'Bizar' produces eye-catching blooms. The flowers emerge as dense spherical clusters, each bloom consisting of numerous tiny, star-shaped flowers. These blossoms have a rich, deep purple hue that creates a dramatic visual effect. The spherical flower clusters are perched atop sturdy, upright stems that rise above the foliage, presenting a rather whimsical look reminiscent of miniature fireworks. The contrast between the fresh green of the leaves and the deep purple of the blooms makes this plant a popular choice for adding a splash of color and interest to garden beds and borders.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Amaryllidaceae
Synonyms
Ornamental Onion
Common names
Allium 'Bizar'
ToxicityTo humans
Allium 'Bizar' is a cultivar belonging to the genus Allium, which includes onions, garlic, and chives. These plants can be mildly toxic to humans if consumed in large quantities. Symptoms of poisoning may include gastrointestinal upset, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In rare cases, particularly when large amounts or concentrated extracts are ingested, there may be more severe symptoms such as headache, palpitations, dizziness, and allergic reactions. Cooking typically reduces the risk of any adverse effects, as it tends to diminish the compounds responsible for toxicity.
To pets
Allium 'Bizar', commonly known as a member of the onion family, is toxic to pets, especially cats and dogs. If a pet ingests this plant, they may suffer from symptoms of poisoning which include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and depression. More severe cases may lead to red blood cell damage, causing anemia, characterized by lethargy, weakness, and pale mucous membranes. In the most severe cases, ingesting Allium 'Bizar' could lead to organ damage or potentially be fatal if not treated by a veterinarian promptly. It is critical to keep this plant away from pets and seek immediate veterinary attention if ingestion is suspected.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Varies
Flower color
Purple
Height
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Allium 'Bizar' is known for its ornamental value, adding visual interest to gardens with its unique flower structure and form.
- Ease of Care: This plant is generally low-maintenance, requiring minimal attention once established in the right conditions.
- Drought Tolerance: Allium 'Bizar' can tolerate periods of dryness, making it suitable for xeriscaping and water-conserving landscapes.
- Pest Resistance: Often, alliums are less susceptible to common garden pests, which can minimize the need for chemical pest control.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers of Allium 'Bizar' can attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators that support a healthy ecosystem.
- Deer and Rodent Resistance: Alliums are generally not preferred by deer and rodents, which helps prevent damage to the plant and garden.
- Long Blooming Period: This plant offers a long season of bloom compared to some other garden plants, providing lasting color and interest.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Allium 'Bizar', commonly known as ornamental onion, can be used as a natural pest repellent in gardens due to its strong scent, which many pests find displeasing.
- The strong aroma of ornamental onion can also be used to mask odors when placed in areas such as outdoor compost bins or near trash storage areas.
- These plants can be utilized for their aesthetic value in dried flower arrangements, where they provide a unique spherical shape and can retain color.
- The tall and sturdy stems of ornamental onions can serve as natural supports for floppier, weaker plants within a garden bed.
- Ornamental onion, due to its distinct look, can be used in garden design to create a point of geometric contrast amidst softer, more organic plant shapes.
- For an educational purpose, ornamental onions can be used to teach about plant life cycles and bulb propagation in a classroom setting.
- Their blooms can be used as a natural dying agent, providing color to fabrics or crafts, yielding hues of pink, purple, or blue depending on the species.
- These plants can be used in photography and art projects, often as a subject for botanical illustration or macro photography due to their intricate flower structures.
- In culinary schools or workshops, ornamental onions can be used to demonstrate the edible uses of allium varieties in cooking, despite 'Bizar' itself not being a culinary variety.
- During festive seasons, especially spring celebrations, ornamental onions can be incorporated into events as part of floral decorations or as easter egg hunt markers due to their egg-shaped heads.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Allium, commonly known as ornamental onion, is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Allium, commonly known as ornamental onion, is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection: The Allium 'Bizar', commonly known as ornamental onion, is often associated with protection due to its strong scent which is believed to ward off evil spirits and negative energies.
- Good Fortune: In some cultural traditions, the ornamental onion is a symbol of luck and is thought to bring prosperity and good fortune to those who grow or possess it.
- Unity: The spherical shape of the bloom, which is a cluster of many small flowers, symbolizes unity and togetherness, suggesting that strength can be found in numbers.
- Persistence: With its ability to grow in various conditions and its resilient nature, the ornamental onion is seen as a symbol of perseverance and the ability to overcome challenges.
- Humility: Despite its bold appearance when in bloom, the plant has a humble origin from a simple bulb, representing modesty and humility in one's achievements.
WaterThe Allium 'Bizar', commonly known as the Ornamental Onion, needs to be watered deeply but infrequently, ensuring that the soil is not waterlogged but consistently moist. Water the plant with approximately 1 gallon per week when there is no significant rainfall, adjusting for higher temperatures and winds. During the growing season in spring and early summer, you may need to water more frequently to maintain the soil moisture, especially if the weather is dry. Reduce watering once the flowers begin to fade and the leaves start to yellow, as the plant is entering dormancy. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering again to prevent overwatering.
LightThe Ornamental Onion thrives best in full sun conditions, receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for this plant would be an area with unfiltered sunlight for the majority of the day. If planted in too much shade, the stems may become weak and the flowers less vibrant. Ensure that the spot is also protected from strong winds that can damage the tall flower stalks.
TemperatureOrnamental Onions are hardy and adapt well to a range of temperature conditions. They prefer an average temperature between 55°F and 75°F but can survive temporary dips to just above freezing and heat spikes up to about 90°F. However, prolonged exposure to temperatures outside of their comfort range should be avoided to prevent stress and potential damage to the plant.
PruningPruning Ornamental Onions involves deadheading spent flowers to encourage further blooming and to prevent self-seeding, which may not be desired. Cut back the flower stalks to the base of the plant after flowering to keep the plant looking tidy. Pruning is typically done in late summer or early fall when the plant's leaves have yellowed and died down, signaling the end of the plant's growth cycle for the season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Ornamental Onion 'Bizar' thrives in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. A good mix would be equal parts garden soil, compost, and sharp sand to ensure drainage. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0.
RepottingThe Ornamental Onion 'Bizar' typically doesn't need frequent repotting and can be repotted every 3-4 years or when it becomes root-bound.
Humidity & MistingOrnamental Onion 'Bizar' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require any specific humidity conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright indirect light, in well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to partial shade, in well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleAllium 'Bizar', commonly known as ornamental onion, begins its life cycle when a seed germinates in soil, requiring well-drained conditions and full sun to partial shade. The seed develops into a bulb, which is the storage organ of the plant, and from this bulb, roots and shoots emerge. As the plant matures, it produces sturdy stems and strap-shaped leaves, with the unique spherical flower clusters, usually in shades of purple, forming at the stem tips in late spring to early summer. After flowering, the plant sets seed, and once the seeds mature, they can be dispersed to produce new plants. In the dormant phase, during late summer to fall, the foliage dies back, and the bulb remains in the soil through the winter. The cycle recommences in the spring when the bulb sends up new growth to start the process again.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Allium 'Bizar', more commonly known as ornamental onion, is through division of the bulbs. This typically occurs in late summer to autumn, after the leaves have died back. To propagate by division, carefully dig around the clump of bulbs and gently lift them out of the ground. Brush off any excess soil and then gently pull the bulbs apart, ensuring that each section has at least one growth point. Replant the sections immediately at a depth of about three times their diameter, which is typically 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) for larger bulbs. This method is straightforward and effective, providing new plants that will closely resemble the parent in form and color.
