Allium Giganteum: The Giant Ornamental Onion Explained by Florists
Allium giganteum, the giant allium, is an ornamental onion from Central Asia that produces perfectly round violet-purple flower heads about 10-15 cm across on bare stems that can reach well over a metre. It flowers in early summer, lasts around two weeks as a cut flower and dries beautifully, which makes it a favourite of florists and garden designers alike.
In our Saint Petersburg shops customers usually ask about allium for two reasons: they have seen the striking purple balls in a garden or a wedding photo and want them in a bouquet, or they want to plant bulbs at their dacha. Below we cover both, along with care, meaning and how to combine giant allium with other flowers.
What allium giganteum is and how to recognise it
Giant allium belongs to the onion family, and the link is easy to notice: crush a leaf or a stem and you will smell a mild onion scent. The plant grows from a large bulb, sends up wide grey-green leaves in spring and then a single smooth, leafless stem topped by a dense sphere made of hundreds of tiny star-shaped florets. The leaves often start to yellow just as the flowers open, which is normal and not a sign of disease.
It is the tallest of the popular ornamental onions. Allium 'Globemaster' and 'Gladiator', which you will often see in catalogues, are close relatives or hybrids with similar large heads, while Allium aflatunense 'Purple Sensation' is shorter with smaller balls. Florists often call all of them simply allium, but true giganteum is recognised by its height and the compact, deep lilac globe.
The flowering season is late May to July, depending on climate. In the Leningrad region giant allium usually opens at the very end of spring or in June. Outside that season it is sometimes available as a cut flower grown in greenhouses, but availability is limited, so it is best to ask in advance if you have your heart set on it.
Using giant allium in bouquets and arrangements
Because of its height and geometry, allium works as an accent rather than a filler. One or three stems rising above a lower bouquet of roses, peonies or hydrangeas instantly give the arrangement a designer look. In tall floor vases a group of five to seven alliums on their own looks modern and architectural, and it suits offices, restaurants and minimalist interiors.
The purple colour combines well with white, cream and blush tones, with silver eucalyptus and with lime-green flowers such as chrysanthemum 'Santini' or viburnum. For a bolder palette, pair it with deep burgundy roses and dark foliage. Wedding florists like allium for summer ceremonies because it holds its shape in heat better than many delicate flowers.
Smaller allium varieties work in hand-tied bouquets, but giganteum itself is usually too tall and heavy for a standard bouquet held in the hand. Florists either shorten the stem or use it in vase arrangements and installations. If you are planning a gift, tell the florist where the bouquet will stand, so the proportions are chosen correctly.
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Vase life and care for cut alliums
Giant allium is one of the longest-lasting cut flowers: with basic care it stays fresh for 10-14 days, and sometimes longer. Cut the stems at an angle with a sharp knife, place them in a clean vase with cool water and keep them away from radiators and direct sun. Because the stems are hollow and heavy at the top, choose a stable, weighted vase so that the arrangement does not tip over.
The one drawback customers notice is a faint onion smell in the water. It comes from the cut stem, not from the flower head, and it is easy to control. Change the water every one or two days, rinse the vase and recut the stems by a centimetre each time. A little flower food added to the water also keeps it clean and reduces the smell noticeably.
When the florets start to fade, do not throw the stems away. Allium dries very well: either leave the heads in a vase with a few centimetres of water and let it evaporate, or hang the stems upside down in a dry, dark place for two to three weeks. Dried heads keep their spherical shape for months, and many people spray them silver or gold for winter decorations.
Meaning and symbolism of allium
In the language of flowers allium is associated with unity, patience and good fortune. The many small florets forming one perfect sphere are read as a symbol of a family or a team holding together, which makes allium a thoughtful choice for anniversaries, housewarmings and corporate gifts. Its slow growth from a bulb to a tall flower is also linked to patience and perseverance.
In Russia allium is not tied to any specific holiday, unlike carnations or tulips, so it is a neutral, modern choice. It suits men and women equally, and its clean shape is often preferred for gifts to colleagues and clients when roses would feel too personal. The purple colour adds a sense of creativity and dignity without being romantic.
Allium has no negative meaning in Russian etiquette. As with any bouquet given in Russia, an odd number of stems is customary for celebrations, since even numbers are traditionally reserved for funerals and memorials. With large flowers like giganteum one, three or five stems are usually enough.
Growing allium giganteum in your own garden
Bulbs are planted in autumn, from September to October in the Saint Petersburg area, about 15-20 cm deep and 25-30 cm apart. Giant allium wants full sun and well-drained soil; it dislikes wet, heavy clay where the bulbs can rot over winter. In open, windy spots taller stems may need a discreet support.
The plant is hardy enough for the north-west of Russia, but a light mulch of compost or leaves in the first winter helps young bulbs. In spring keep the soil moderately moist while the leaves grow, then reduce watering after flowering. Let the leaves die back naturally, because they feed the bulb for next year.
Alliums look best planted in groups among perennials that hide their fading leaves: catmint, geraniums, hostas or ornamental grasses. Leave a few heads on the plants after flowering, as the seed heads stay decorative well into autumn and attract bees while the florets are still open.
Ordering a bouquet with allium in Saint Petersburg or across Russia
If you would like allium in a bouquet, call us on 8 (812) 507-67-05 before ordering. Since 2011 we have worked from our own three shops in Saint Petersburg, and the florists will tell you whether alliums are available on your date and suggest a suitable combination. You can also choose a ready bouquet in the catalogue and ask to add an accent in purple tones.
We deliver across Russia. City delivery costs 500 RUB, and for suburbs and remote districts the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. You can pre-order 1-30 days ahead, choose a time window or an exact time, and in Saint Petersburg delivery runs around the clock. Payment is online by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay, and foreign cards are accepted via Robokassa; see delivery and payment for details.
Frequently asked questions
How tall does allium giganteum grow?
Giant allium usually reaches 1.2-1.5 metres, sometimes more in good conditions. The flower head is a dense purple sphere about 10-15 cm across.
How long do cut alliums last in a vase?
With fresh water every one or two days and regular trimming, cut alliums stay fresh for about 10-14 days. Afterwards the heads can be dried and kept for months.
Why do my alliums smell of onion in the vase?
The smell comes from the cut stems releasing sap into the water. Changing the water often, rinsing the vase and using flower food keeps it to a minimum.
When is allium giganteum in season?
It flowers in late spring and early summer, roughly from late May to July. Outside the season availability as a cut flower is limited, so it is worth asking in advance.
What does allium symbolise?
Allium stands for unity, patience and good fortune. It has no negative meaning in Russian etiquette and suits both personal and business gifts.
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