Allium 'SUMMER DRUMMER' ornamental onion

Summer Drummer is a fantastic variety of ornamental onion, one of the tallest available who size can only compete with a. giganteum, i.e., a spring flowering species. But Summer Drummer has an important benefit – it is a summer bloomer making a great show after all other spring onions have gone dormant. It makes 8-9 cm wide, spherical inflorescences on strong, dark purple stems that can grow up to two meters (or more with heavy fertilizing) and withstand common winds without breaking once established. Individual flowers are purple on the outside and glow in the bed for about 2 weeks before opening to their final stage when they show almost white margins and stamens. Flowering begins in late June and lasts until mid-summer.

It is a hybrid of a. stpitatum and in spring makes medium large, fleshy leaves, which gradually dry up as soon as the flower buds are formed and rise atop the stems towards the sun. The stems heights predispose Summer Drummer to become an important feature of tall perennial beds where you can also use it among tall grasses that, by the time of this onion’s flowering period, have not yet reached their ultimate height and therefore will not hide the flowers. Or do what we have done: combine it with white or pink panicle hydrangeas where it also looks great and makes a softer perennial touch contrasting greatly with a woody framework of shrubby hydrangeas.

Ornamental onions can take almost any soil that will not be too compacted or wet, they just need even moisture before they fully establish. Fertilizing is not crucial but can significantly enhance flower count and size as well as add to quicker reproduction. Every 5 years or so you can rejuvenate the plant by lifting the bulbs and dividing them into more clumps. These onions do best in full sun, only very slight shade is tolerated. In spite of typical garlic/onion aroma of all parts of the plant it is not suitable for consumption. Hardy to min. -29 °C (USDA zone 5), possibly more.

Last update 07-07-2024