{"product_id":"ail-bleu-allium-caeruleum-bulbes","title":"Blue globe onion (Allium caeruleum) — Bulbs, size 4\/5","description":"\u003csection class=\"product-content verdeia-product\" id=\"ail-bleu\"\u003e\u003cheader class=\"product-intro\"\u003e\u003cp class=\"product-highlights\"\u003e💙 Sky-blue globes • 🌿 Slender stems 40 to 60 cm tall • 🌤️ Flowers in June-July • 🐝 Very bee-friendly • ☀️ Full sun • 💐 Cut flower • 🧊 Very hardy • 🔁 Naturalizes year after year • 📏 Bulb size 4\/5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eblue globe onion\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eAllium caeruleum\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the few truly blue alliums: in June and July, each bulb produces a slender stem 40 to 60 cm tall topped by a globe 3 to 4 cm across, made up of around thirty small starry sky-blue flowers. The species is \u003cstrong\u003enative to Eastern Europe and Central Asia\u003c\/strong\u003e, from Russia to Xinjiang in China, where it grows on dry steppes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003eIts sky-blue globes keep the same shade from the start to the end of flowering and attract bees and bumblebees. Among our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/bulbes-a-fleurs\"\u003eflower bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e, it is the only blue allium, to be planted in tight clumps between perennials.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/header\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"formats\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow many bulbs should you choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blue globe onion is planted in tight clumps so that its slender stems form patches of color: allow about 50 bulbs per square meter, or 15 to 20 bulbs in a pot 30 cm in diameter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e40 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 1 m², or two large pots on a terrace.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e80 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 1.5 m², for an edging along a path.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e160 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 3 m², to dot blue patches throughout a perennial border.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e320 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 6 m², for a flowering meadow or a large dry garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe larger the pack, the lower the price per bulb: the 320-bulb pack costs less than half as much per bulb as the 40-bulb pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"plantation-emplacement\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; location\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bulbs are planted from September to December, as long as the ground is not frozen, for flowers in June and July.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, at least 6 hours a day; in partial shade, the stems stretch and flop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDepth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8 cm, tip upwards; these small size 4\/5 bulbs root quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 to 8 cm between bulbs, in groups of 10 to 20 for a clump effect.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e well drained, even poor, sandy or chalky; the bulb rots in soil that stays waterlogged in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to -20 °C in the ground, no protection needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe species comes from the steppes: it likes dry summers, which help it flower again every year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"arrosage-entretien\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWatering \u0026amp; care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blue globe onion lives on its reserves and makes do with rainfall when planted in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e low — water once at planting, then only if the spring is very dry; in pots, when the potting mix is dry several centimeters down, which you can confirm with the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/test-du-doigt-la-methode-infaillible-pour-savoir-quand-arroser-vos-plantes\"\u003efinger test\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn pots:\u003c\/strong\u003e a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/comprendre-substrats-terreau-billes-argile-perlite\"\u003efree-draining compost\u003c\/a\u003e lightened with one third sand or fine gravel, with a layer of clay pebbles at the bottom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e unnecessary in the ground, as the species prefers poor soils; in a pot, a bulb fertilizer in spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAfter flowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e let the stems and leaves dry in place; they rebuild the bulb's reserves for the following year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe slender leaves start to turn yellow as soon as it flowers: this is normal, the flowering stems stay upright and green until the flowers are over.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"associations-deco\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDecorating ideas \u0026amp; plant pairings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts small blue globes float above perennials and grasses, in borders as well as in pots on a sunny terrace, following the pointers in our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/plantes-balcon-plein-soleil-guide\"\u003eplants for a sunny balcony\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a blue border,\u003c\/strong\u003e plant it among the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/festuca-glauca-azura-blue-fetuque-bleue\"\u003eblue fescue 'Azura Blue'\u003c\/a\u003e — its silvery-blue tufts echo the color of the globes and hide the yellowing leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a dry garden,\u003c\/strong\u003e pair it with \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/lavandula-angustifolia-hidcote-blue-12cm-20cm\"\u003elavender 'Hidcote Blue'\u003c\/a\u003e — the same liking for dry soils, and its dark violet spikes take over in July.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a succession of alliums,\u003c\/strong\u003e plant the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/ail-a-tete-ronde-allium-sphaerocephalon-bulbes\"\u003eround-headed leek\u003c\/a\u003e alongside — its purple heads open in July, as the blue globes finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a color contrast,\u003c\/strong\u003e add a few \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/allium-mount-everest-ail-ornement-blanc-bulbes\"\u003eAllium 'Mount Everest'\u003c\/a\u003e at the back of the border — their large white globes at 1.20 m tower over the small blue globes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eFor a terrace version, plant 15 to 20 bulbs in the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/pot-elho-greenville-round-blanc\"\u003ewhite Elho Greenville Round pot\u003c\/a\u003e in the 30 cm size: the white makes the blue flowers stand out.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"tips\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eVerdeia tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"verdeia-tips\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant as soon as they arrive:\u003c\/strong\u003e these small bulbs dry out quickly in the open air; plant them within a few days, or keep them somewhere cool in a paper bag.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCut them for your bouquets:\u003c\/strong\u003e picked when half the flowers in the globe are open, the stems last about two weeks in a vase and keep their blue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLet them naturalize:\u003c\/strong\u003e don't dig up the bulbs, they overwinter in the ground like the species in our selection of \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/plantes-resistantes-froid-guide\"\u003ecold-hardy plants\u003c\/a\u003e, and the small bulbils formed in the globes produce new clumps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"caracteristiques\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tech-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAllium caeruleum\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue globe onion, blue garlic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Amaryllidaceae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e species native to Eastern Europe and Central Asia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery:\u003c\/strong\u003e dry bulbs, size 4\/5 (4 to 5 cm in circumference), in packs of 40, 80, 160 or 320\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40 to 60 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e June-July, sky-blue globes 3 to 4 cm across\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e September to December, 8 cm deep\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to -20 °C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e well drained, tolerates poor, sandy and chalky soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLife cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e perennial, blooms again every year and naturalizes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBee-friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e very attractive to bees, bumblebees and butterflies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e very easy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eToxicity:\u003c\/strong\u003e toxic to animals (dogs and cats) if ingested, like all alliums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecorative style:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry garden \/ Flowering meadow \/ Boho\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eEach bulb is unique: the height of the stems and the size of the globes vary naturally depending on the soil and sun exposure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Everspring","offers":[{"title":"40 bulbs","offer_id":57278105944329,"sku":"50808","price":24.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"80 bulbs","offer_id":57462915957001,"sku":"61479","price":33.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"160 bulbs","offer_id":57462915989769,"sku":"61480","price":53.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"320 bulbs","offer_id":57462916022537,"sku":"61481","price":83.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/1006\/5673\/files\/ail-bleu-allium-caeruleum-bulbes-calibre-45-verdeia-2689665.png?v=1792538551","url":"https:\/\/verdeia.eu\/en\/products\/blue-globe-onion-allium-caeruleum-bulbs","provider":"Verdeia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}