how do i grow allium?

hi ladies and gents,
i'm having a problem growing alliums. the first year they are beautiful, the second year they either don't produce a bud or the blossom is much smaller than the first year. i plant them in sun to part sun, amongst other bulbs or plants, i fertilize them in the early spring and then again after the blossoms have passed. i allow them to die to the ground naturally before removing the leaves. i do this with all my other bulbs, and i have no problems with them. oh yes, one more thing, they are all in well draining soil.
what am i doing wrong? i would appreciate any help concerning these bulbs. i have small sized to the large globemaster and giganteum. i would really like to have more in my garden, but i'm afraid to buy them, that they won't return or not bloom like these others i have. it doesn't appear to matter if they get more or less sun, i have them in various places about my gardens.
help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
debi z and franklin the wonder gardening doggie

Hi, debi--

I am interested in growing giant allium, too, and haven't had a lot of success getting them to return, either.

I googled and did find out that they don't like clay soil, so raised beds might be a good alternative. Also allium prefer alkaline soils which might be an issue. One writer also suggested if you have them in summer irrigated beds you might want to lift them in summer and replant in the fall to avoid rot. I hadn't thought of that...

Here is an article written by Todd Boland (who posts a lot on DG) and it gives lots of good information about various allium and their culture:

http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/Articles/bnargs_alliums.htm