Allium 'Gladiator' (Giant Ornamental Onion) — Bulbs size 16/18
- Regular price
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€55,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€55,95
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Allium Gladiator and Allium Purple Sensation? Gladiator is taller, with 1.20 m stems and 15 cm flower balls, while Purple Sensation reaches just 80 cm, with 10 cm balls in a deeper purple.
How deep should I plant Allium Gladiator bulbs? Plant these large bulbs 15-20 cm deep, pointy end up, spacing each bulb 30 to 40 cm apart.
SHIPPING & PACKAGING
Shipping within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 business days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection to ensure the plant arrives in perfect condition
- Parcel tracking sent by email as soon as shipped
- Free delivery on orders over €50
48H QUALITY GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us within 48 hours at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- Free replacement or full refund
- No return necessary – we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage related to transport, severely weakened plant upon arrival, preparation errors.
CARE TIPS UPON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack immediately and inspect your plant
- Let it acclimatize 24-48h in a bright spot without direct sunlight
- Check soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting
- Avoid heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe leaves to remove dust
Need help? Contact our team at hello@verdeia.eu or via chat.
💜 12 to 15 cm lilac-purple globes • 🌿 Giant stems 1 to 1.20 m tall • 🐝 Highly attractive to bees • ☀️ Full sun • ❄️ Hardy down to -25 °C • 🔁 Blooms again every year • 📏 Large 16/18-caliber bulbs
Allium 'Gladiator' is one of the tallest ornamental alliums: each bulb produces a sturdy stem 1 to 1.20 m tall in May and June, topped with a 12 to 15 cm globe made up of hundreds of tiny lilac-purple stars. It's a horticultural hybrid bred from Central Asian species, supplied as large 16/18-caliber bulbs that produce the biggest globes.
Planted in fall, it blooms again every spring without needing to be dug up and stands tall above flower beds. Among our flower bulbs, it's the one that adds the most vertical interest to a garden or large planter.
Which allium should you choose?
- Allium 'Gladiator' (this plant) — stems 1 to 1.20 m tall, globes 12 to 15 cm across. The most spectacular choice, for the back of a flower bed.
- Allium 'Purple Sensation' — stems 70 to 80 cm tall, globes 8 to 10 cm across, in a deeper purple. The most versatile choice, for the middle of a flower bed and pots.
Planted together, the two alliums create natural layers: Gladiator at the back, Purple Sensation at the front.
How many bulbs should you choose?
Its large globes make an impact even in small numbers: allow about 5 bulbs per square meter, or 3 bulbs in a pot measuring 30 to 40 cm in diameter.
- 20 bulbs: about 4 m², or a row of bulbs at the back of a flower bed.
- 32 bulbs: about 6 m², to add accents to a large border.
- 64 bulbs: about 12 m², for a large flower bed or a path lined with purple globes.
The larger the pack, the lower the price per bulb: the 64-bulb pack costs about 40% less per bulb than the 20-bulb pack.
Planting & location
Plant the bulbs from September to December, as long as the ground isn't frozen, for blooms the following spring.
- Exposure: full sun, at least 6 hours a day; in the shade, the stems grow long and lean.
- Depth: 15 to 20 cm, point facing up; a large, deeply planted bulb supports its tall stem better.
- Spacing: 30 to 40 cm between bulbs in the ground, 10 to 12 cm in a pot.
- Soil type: well-draining, even poor or chalky soil; the bulb rots in waterlogged soil in winter.
- Hardiness: down to -25 °C in the ground; no protection needed.
Choose a spot sheltered from strong winds: at 1.20 m tall, the flower heads catch the wind while in bloom.
Watering & care
Allium lives off its reserves and needs only rainfall when planted in the ground. In a pot, check the moisture with the finger test before watering.
- Watering: minimal — water once at planting, then only if spring is very dry.
- In a pot: use well-draining potting mix lightened with sand or clay pebbles, as explained in our guide to growing media and potting mixes.
- Fertilizer: unnecessary in the ground; in a pot, use bulb fertilizer when the leaves emerge.
- After flowering: let the leaves yellow and dry in place so the bulb can replenish its reserves.
Its broad leaves turn yellow as soon as it flowers: plant it behind perennials or grasses that will hide its base.
Decorating ideas & plant pairings
Its flower heads rising above the other plants add structure to a flower bed or large planter, as suggested in our guide to which plants to choose for your balcony.
- To hide its foliage, plant it behind the set of 4 ornamental grasses — their low clumps conceal the leaves as they turn yellow during flowering.
- For a red and purple contrast, pair it with Nandina Obsessed™ 'Seika' — its young red leaves make the lilac flower heads stand out.
- For continuous blooms, add a Buddleja davidii 'Royal Red' — its crimson-red panicles take over from July.
- For a patio version, plant 3 bulbs in the white Elho Greenville Round pot in Ø30 cm — the white pot highlights the purple flowers, and its depth accommodates the large bulbs.
The dried flower heads remain decorative all summer: cut and hung upside down, they make striking dried bouquets.
Verdeia tips
- Plant as soon as you receive them: take the bulbs out of their net and plant them in the ground promptly, just as you would any new plant arriving at home.
- Plant deep in light soils: in sandy soil, plant as deep as 20 cm. The stem anchors better and withstands the wind without a stake.
- Cut the flower heads for a vase in the morning: choose flower heads that are half-open. They last up to two weeks in a bouquet, and the plant remains intact for the following year.
Technical specifications
- Botanical name: Allium 'Gladiator'
- Common name: Giant ornamental allium
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Origin: horticultural hybrid of Central Asian species
- Delivery: dry bulbs, size 16/18 (16 to 18 cm in circumference), in packs of 20, 32, or 64
- Height in bloom: 1 m to 1.20 m
- Flowering: May to June, lilac-purple flower heads measuring 12 to 15 cm
- Planting: September to December, 15-20 cm deep
- Exposure: full sun
- Watering: low
- Hardiness: down to -25 °C
- Soil type: well-draining; tolerates poor and alkaline soils
- Cycle: perennial, blooms again every year
- Bee-friendly: very attractive to bees, bumblebees, and butterflies
- Care: very easy
- Toxicity: toxic if ingested by animals (dogs and cats), like all alliums
- Decorative style: Natural garden / Contemporary / Country
Each bulb is unique: the size of the flower heads and the height of the stems naturally vary depending on the soil and sun exposure.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Shipping is done within 48 business hours, with tracked delivery within 2 to 5 business days. Delivery costs €5.60 — free for orders over €50. You will receive a tracking link as soon as the package is shipped.
What to do upon receiving my plant?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What to do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.