Allium Species, Corkscrew Onion, Curly Chives, German Garlic, Spiral Onion
Allium spirale
| Family: | Alliaceae |
| Genus: | Allium (AL-ee-um) (Info) |
| Species: | spirale (spir-AH-lee) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Allium canescens |
| Synonym: | Allium longicaule |
| Synonym: | Allium trisulcum |
View this plant in a gardenCategory:
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Foliage Color:
Blue-Green
Height:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing:
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Pink
Lavender
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting:
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Concow, California
Oroville, California
Thermalito, California
Denver, Colorado(2 reports)
Colchester, Connecticut
Litchfield, Connecticut
Washington, Illinois
Iowa City, Iowa
Roslindale, Massachusetts
Pinconning, Michigan
Hackensack, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Grassy Creek, North Carolina
Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania
Newtown, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Charleston, South Carolina
Jackson, Tennessee
Austin, Texas
Vancouver, Washington
Tomah, Wisconsin
Wild Rose, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Jan 25, 2014, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: Easy, tough, vigorous clump former. The blue-green foliage is elegantly twisted like a cowlick and does not go dormant in summer. Much hardier than indicated above, to z3-4. The species in China gets 18-24" tall, but the plant that goes about under this name in North American gardens does not get much taller than 8". It does not grow thickly enough to smother weeds. |
| Positive | On Dec 2, 2006, sanannie from White Lake, ON (Zone 4b) wrote: Attractive, blue-green, twisted foliage that grows in a small circular clump. Pretty pink umbels in late summer. Very easy to divide and a group of them make a nice edging to a small bed. I'm a fan of this little cutie. |
| Neutral | On Mar 12, 2006, Gabrielle from (Zone 5a) wrote: My information says that this is hardy in zones 3-9. |
| Positive | On Sep 4, 2004, lego_brickster from Lawrenceville, PA (Zone 5b) wrote: This is a fun little plant with great foliage for an allium. |
| Positive | On Jun 25, 2004, nminn from Hackensack, MN wrote: I have grown "curly" or "twisted" chives (var. glaucum) in zone 3 of north-central Minnesota for 4 years. It is perfectly hardy here, although not a rampant spreader. |
| Positive | On Apr 1, 2003, louisenh wrote: I have a version called "circle chives" that grows itself round into a circle. Tough, takes drought, stands division but leave in place if you want to see the full circle! Take from the edges when your friends want some. Like all alliums, flowers attract pollenators that sting; do not plant too close to steps or walkways. |
| Neutral | On Aug 31, 2001, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: Easily grown in average, dry to medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun, but appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Drought tolerant. Although this allium is a true bulb on a rhizome, plants form dense clumps which are easily divided in either spring or autumn. Clumps will slowly spread and self-seeding often occurs. Deadhead flowers before seed sets to help control any unwanted spread. |
