posted
In October, I planted a container of assorted ornamental allium bulbs in layers on my patio, which is sheltered under a deck, thinking that I'd have some spring color. Many have already poked through the soil and are about an inch high. Isn't it much too early for them to begin growing? Am I going to lose them over the winter?? We haven't yet had a hard frost (my snapdragons are still blooming). Any advice would be appreciated.
Seeded: 24.64.223.203
posted
Hi Cricket, What growing zone are you again??
I have my chives that grow here, and they don't die back in the winter they kinda stay under the snow, then come spring time, even though the green that was poking up when snow fell, and that stuff has since died, they again poke up thru the dirt...
So, maybe, what it's doing is, you planted them, they are establishing their roots, it sent up some green to get some extra "food" for it's bulb and that'll die back eventually and as long as the bulb is sufficiently covered for snow time, and not exposed to the winter temps and winds, I would think it should be okay????
I also have types of grape hyacinths that do that, spring to life with green grass like growth in the fall/winter time and then come up fresh in the spring....
I would definately keep the container/pot under your porch and out of the eliments and wind... Wind is usually the killer of most plants, when they "heave" out of the dirt and are exposed... Do you have access to chopped leaves, some extra mulch or anything you can wrap around the base of the container to cut down the chill...????
But I'm pretty certain, as the alliums are very hardy breed and should survive very nicely!!!
And of course, don't forget our update... Come spring time... and let us know how they did...that's how we all learn from do's and don'ts of gardening!
Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
I planted the alliums as spring bulbs - the packages said they would bloom from April-June(depending on the bulb), so I thought they would probably poke out of the soil in February, similar to crocuses, daffs and tulips.
We don't usually get much snow (maybe a few days at most) but LOTS of rain!!!
The container is in a corner under the deck next to the house, in a southern exposure, so is protected from the worst winds.
I've only been on the island for 3 years and am not yet too familiar with what will and won't grow here. But it's delightful to discover the joys of winter gardening - I'm originally from the prairies where the only things that grow in the winter are icicles and SNOWMEN!!
Seeded: 24.64.223.203
posted
Cricket, By zone you grow and how you say your winters are, I doubt you should have a problem....... With being so mild in all!!! And you've got the pot it sounds in a pretty good place.
quote: I'm originally from the prairies where the only things that grow in the winter are icicles and SNOWMEN!!
Those grow TOO WELL here!!!
I gotta ask now, with all this talk about the alliums, what color's did you get????? I love the yellow one's!!! Of course I like the pink and purple one's too and of course the white as well!!!!
Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
Several ornamental alliums grow foliage in the fall, so don't worry...it's normal. Mine are up and growing as well here in zone 7 and they do this every fall. Dutch Irises and Grape Hyacinths also grow foliage in the fall.
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![[dunno]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
they kinda stay under the snow, then come spring time, even though the green that was poking up when snow fell, and that stuff has since died, they again poke up thru the dirt...![[critic]](graemlins/critic.gif)
Come spring time... and let us know how they did...that's how we all learn from do's and don'ts of gardening!
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[scaredy]](graemlins/scaredy.gif)
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the white as well!!!! 
Printer-friendly view of this garden