WHEN I PLANTED PURPLE SENSATION ALLIUM THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE SO PRETTY AND I EXPECTED THEY WOULD COME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR, BUT THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE. ARE THEY SHORT LIVED? DOES SOMETHING EAT THE BULB? SHOULD I FERTILIZE DIFFERENTLY? I NEED SUGGESTIONS....
THE PURPLE SENSATION IS IN THE CENTER OF THE PHOTO.
I'M NOT HAVING GOOD LUCK GETTING THE PURPLE SENSATION TO BLOOM YEAR AFTER YEAR??
Beautiful picture, Brenda! I love the different shades of lavender.
As far as Purple Sensation, mine have been coming back for four years, so they do come back. I did lose a few, though, after the first year.
Have you only planted them the one year or is this something that continues to happen? One of the main reasons bulbs of any type fail is rotting from too much water while they're dormant. Bulbs like to be where they have good drainage.
You might consider also posting your question to the "Bulb" forum. A lot of the people who frequent that forum have been growing bulbs of all kinds for many years. Someone who's grown lots of Alliums may have some more definitive answers for you.
Hi Brenda-that is a splendid garden you have. I LOVE the colors.
I also cannot usually get alliums to come back. I think it is my clay soil, as when I gardened about a mile away on sand they did come back.I hoped that since the ground slopes it would not get too soggy, but it really does rain 8 months of the year in Seattle!
You might also try your question on the upper midwest forum, as it would include your neighbors.
WOW! WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT - IT MUST BE THE BULBS ROTTING BECAUSE OF TOO MUCH MOISTURE. THANK YOU SO MUCH - I LOVE THE PURPLE SENSATIONS, SO I WILL PLAN ON PURCHASING MORE THIS FALL AND PLANTING IN A MUCH DRYER SPOT.
Good luck with the next batch and don't hesitate to post pictures if you have success with them! Also, feel free to join us on the Upper Midwest Gardening forum where we always have several threads going...or start one of your own.
I think sand would also be a good addition to my next planting of Purple Sensation as per the mentioning of sand by mlmlakestevens. I may have to check out the Upper Midwest Gardening forum.
All help appreciated!
Brenda - If you have clay soil, like many of us in the Midwest, don't add sand. Clay and sand combine to make your soil like concrete!
You'd be better to amend with things like crushed leaves, peat and compost. Some people even add perlite, but you would need a lot so I haven't bothered with it. Others recommend mixing in finely shredded mulch, which will break down to add nutrients. Pine mulch or "fines" can also help, especially if your soil tends to be alkaline.
Seriously - maybe a combination of compost and sand?
It's your choice. I can only give you my opinion. If you don't have clay, sand is not a problem and can help. If you have clay you can add some gravel if you want, but fine sand and clay will make your soil like concrete.
But if you feel you need more opinions, check out the Soil and Composting forum and post the question about whether adding sand to clay soil will increase drainage. Or you can just try it and come to your own conclusions.
